Vivian L. Belding, 99, of Beatrice, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 3, 2026, at Gardenside in Fairbury. Born March 3, 1927, in Abilene, Kansas, to Bill and Mildred (Boyd) Karr, Vivian lived a life marked by resilience, devotion, and service to others.
On January 5, 1944, she married Orville “Max” Belding in Tyler, Texas, beginning a partnership that would span decades and be rooted in love, family, and faith. Together, they built a home in the rural Diller, Endicott, and Steele City areas, later settling south of Diller for 30 years before moving to Beatrice in 1984.
Vivian’s life was defined by hard work and dedication. She contributed to her community through various roles, working in the kitchen at Odell Public School for five years, at the sewing factory in Odell for seven years, and as a nurse’s aide at Beatrice Manor for nearly two decades. In 2001, she began working at the P.E.O. Home, where she continued to serve with compassion until her retirement in 2011. Her commitment to caring for others reflected her deep sense of purpose and her belief in the value of service.
Family was always at the center of Vivian’s life. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great‑grandmother, cherishing the relationships that brought her joy and fulfillment. She is survived by her daughters, Cathy Briggs of Beatrice and Jackie Swartz of Endicott; her son, Michael (Deb) Belding of Beatrice; daughter‑in‑law, Julie Belding; five grandchildren; and 13 great‑grandchildren. Her family remembers her as a source of wisdom, strength, and unconditional love. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Max, her infant daughter Teresa, her son Ron, great‑grandchildren Elijah Reeves and Jayda Daniel, and her brothers Everett and Gale Karr.
Vivian’s life was also enriched by her faith. She was a woman of quiet devotion, finding strength and guidance in her relationship with God. Her faith carried her through life’s challenges and inspired her to live with grace, humility, and gratitude. She spent her later years at Kensington of Beatrice before moving to Gardenside in Fairbury in 2022, where she was lovingly cared for until her passing.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, April 13, 2026, at Fox Funeral Home in Beatrice with Jon Palmquist officiating. Burial will follow at 2:00 P.M. at Steele City Cemetery of rural Steele City. The body will lie in state on Sunday, April 12, from noon until 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home. A life so long and well‑lived deserves to be celebrated, and Vivian’s legacy will continue to shine through the family she nurtured, the community she served, and the countless lives she touched with her kindness.