Vivian J. Maze's Obituary
Vivian Joyce Specht Maze was born June 11, 1924, to William H. and Laura M. (Yokom) Specht in Des Moines, Iowa. She was the second oldest of 6 children and was raised in Ackley, Iowa. Following her junioryear of high school, her family moved the Trear, Iowa where she completed her high school studies. Upon her graduation, Vivian moved to Washington DC in support of the World War II war effort. There, she worked for the Justice Department and FBI directly under J. Edgar Hoover as a fingerprint specialist identifying and categorizing individual fingerprints. It was here she met and married a young Marine Whitehouse guard, Pfc. David A Maze. However, 10 short days after their marriage, Pfc. Maze was transferred to Guadalcanal to support South Pacific Allied forces against Japanese forces. Following his departure, Vivian moved back to Clinton, Iowa where her family now lived working as a waitress at various downtown cafes and restaurants. At the end of World War II,following the surrender of the Japanese forces in the Pacific, now Cprl. Maze was discharged and reunited with Vivian in Chicago, Illinois. Vivian and David then moved to East Hickory, Pennsylvania to start their new family. However, work was scarce, so in 1948 they moved to Camanche,Iowa. It was here Vivian raised her family supporting her husband and nurturing her 4 children, David Jr., Brian, Dennis, and Luanne. In 1961, Vivian made a decision that would change her life forever: Vivian dedicated her life to serving her Lord and Savior, professing her love for Him, and raising her family in the way God intended. For the rest of her life, her love for and dedication to Him grew, not once wavering, andwitnessing for Him whenever the opportunity arose. In February 2015,Vivian lost the love of her life, David Sr. after 71 wonderful years of marriage. Still, her love for her Lord did not waver. In September of that same year, Vivian moved to Vistas at Bettendorf, formerly Iowa Masonic Health Facilities, in Bettendorf, Iowa. Here she thrived, continuing to witness for her Lord and Savior, and acquiring countless friends andrelationships, both staff and residents, until her earthly passing. Vivian passed away peacefully at 02:43am Saturday January 31, 2026 at Vistas at Bettendorf after a brief illness. She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings Bernice Shafer (Raymond), William D. Specht (Beverly), Jean Stanley Dalrymple (Robert), Paul (Lois) Specht, and Margaret (Peggy)Hill Terry (John), her husband David Sr., and one son, Dennis Lee (Pam).She is survived by three children, David, Bettendorf, Ia., Brian (Vicky), Thomson, Il., Luanne Hall (Ron – deceased) Waterford, Mi., a Daughter-in-Law, Pam Maze (Dennis – deceased), Vista, Calif. And numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. There will be no graveside services. A memorial is being planned for May 15, 2026 from 10:00am to 12:00pm at the Snell-ZoringFuneral Chapel in Camanche, Iowa. All family and friends are invited to attend.
In addition, the family of Vivian Maze would like to express their sincere and heartfelt gratitude to the entire staff of Iowa Masonic Health Facilitiesand Vistas at Bettendorf for their wonderful care mom received over the past 10 years that she was a resident there. Because of their lovingcomfort, care, and compassion, our mom began to live again, becoming more social and outgoing toward others around her. She truly felt at home here. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Grand Lodge of Iowa, 813 1st Ave SE Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402.
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