Vivian Ingrid "Mattsson" Holgerson

Vivian Ingrid (Mattsson) Holgerson

Vivian Ingrid (Mattsson) Holgerson age 99 passed away peacefully on August 21, 2025 in Brookings, Oregon. Born on November 19, 1925 on a family farm in southern Sweden, Vivians extraordinary life was a testament to her unwavering devotion to family and friends, her strength, sense of adventure, intelligence, energy, faith, values and spirit, leaving a lasting legacy that spans from her adopted west coast to her Swedish homeland.

Graduating from Ronneby high school, Vivian then earned her Bachelor of Science degree in business and accounting from Gothenburg Business College, learning English, French and German in the process. While working as a payroll accountant in the Swedish Air Force she met her husband Lawe Holgerson. Marrying in 1947, it was the beginning of a 60 year partnership rooted in a mutual love of family, friends, pets and shared adventures.

A Christmas card in 1952 from Vivians brother Bertil in St Paul, Minnesota, enclosing 2 tickets for the ocean liner Gripsholm, prompted their bold move to the United States. After a year in St. Paul, they moved to the Los Angeles area. There, with a good head for numbers and unwavering integrity, Vivian began a long and successful career in accounting, with many stories of her time at Ford Mercury. Lawe was working for Howard Hughes on the Phoenix Missile Program, contributing his engineering expertise.

In 1983 Vivian and Lawe moved to Brookings, Oregon where they retired to enjoy the fresh air and costal life. There they began their travel adventures, motor-homing across the US seeing sites and visiting friends and family along the way. A one time Lucia Queen, Vivian was an active member of a Scandinavian ladies group in Brookings, celebrating her Swedish heritage with pride; she and her companions repurposed her MorMors' 180 year old Swedish table cloths (a wedding gift) into beautifully appointed aprons. She was also quick to share her favorite Swedish recipes. Vivian played bridge as often as she could and was rumored to be quite good. She persued golf, salmon fishing, her orchids and azaleas with enthusiasm. She doted on her beloved pets, Dachshunds being a particular favorite. When her husband Lawe passed in 2008 she found solace and purpose in her work as a Deacon at the Brookings Presbyterian Church.

Vivian was proceeded in death by her husband Lawe Lars Holgerson, father Sven August Mattsson, mother Olga Victoria (Johansdotter) and her brothers Eric Linden, John Bertil, Harry Allen and Gunnar Per Mattsson. She is survived by generations of many loving family members both near and far.

Vivian, as a beloved family matriarch, touched many lives and her memory will live on in the hearts of all those who knew her.

Memorials may be made to the Humane Society in Vivians Memory, honoring her lifelong love of her adored animal friend's.

A celebration of life will be determined at a later date.