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Vivian L. O’Connell

Sept. 9, 1921-Sept. 22, 2018

Vivian L. O’Connell, 97,

Bismarck, formerly of

Minot and Glenburn, died

Saturday, September 22,

2018, in a Bismarck hos-

pital.

Vivian was born Sep-

tember 9, 1921, in Lans-

ford, ND to William and

Jessie (Crane) Under-

wood. Following her

mother’s death when Vivi-

an was four, she spent her

childhood living in Lans-

ford and also living some

with her older sisters,

whom were employed as

teachers. She received her

education in many com-

munities spanning north

central North Dakota that

included Lansford, Minot

(Model High School),

Surrey and Donnybrook.

Vivian graduated from

Lansford High School in

1939 as the Salutatorian

of her class. After gradua-

tion she worked at the lo-

cal telephone company in

Lansford.

Vivian was united in

marriage to Arthur

O’Connell of Glenburn,

ND on July 1, 1940, in

Sidney, Montana. They

lived in Chicago, IL for a

short time until returning

to Glenburn, followed by

a move to Lansford, where

they owned and operated

a grocery store. In 1948,

they moved to the

O’Connell family farm

near Glenburn. The farm

provided the perfect place

to raise 8 children and

maintain a farming opera-

tion until they retired.

They built a new home in

the city of Glenburn in

1967 and called this place

home until a move to

Minot.

Art and Vivian were

members of First Pres-

byterian Church in Minot.

During their retirement

years they enjoyed getting

together with friends for

morning coffee. They

loved to travel and were

able to visit 49 of the 50

states, missing only Alas-

ka. Vivian enjoyed keep-

ing diaries especially dur-

ing retirement. She loved

music, played the piano,

listened to the radio,

stereo, tapes and rarely

missed an episode of the

Lawrence Welk Show.

Vivian was a great cook,

who baked many wonder-ful treats for her family

and possessed a cupboard

full of recipes. Crossword

puzzles and word

searches also helped to

pass the time.

They moved to The

Wellington Assisted living

of Minot in 2008. Art

passed away in February

2009. Vivian moved to

Edgewood Vista and Vil-

lage in Bismarck on July

1, 2010 and later moved

to Maple View Memory

Care, Bismarck in June

2016.

Vivian was known most

for her beautiful and kind

heart. The kind of lady

who often took the back

seat so others could enjoy

the view from the front or

she would have lunch

with someone in assisted

living because they

seemed lonely. She will

be deeply missed by all

who were blessed to share

in her beautiful life.

Vivian is survived by

daughters, Kathy (Micha-

el) O’Keeffe, Bismarck,

Colleen Sand, Kennewick,

WA, Patricia (Richard)

Rasnick, Surf City, NC

and Joni (Nick) Kleven,

Pasco, WA; sons, Daniel

(Avis) O’Connell, Palm

Bay, FL, Kenneth (Kathy)

O’Connell, Branson, MO

and James (LaVonne)

O’Connell, Goshen, IN; 19

grandchildren and many

great-grandchildren along

with numerous nieces and

nephews.

Vivian was preceded in

death by her parents, hus-

band, Arthur, daughter,

Suellen Johnston, sons-in

-law, Jack Johnston and

Randy Sand, grand-

daughter, Rebecca Sand

Wilson; sisters, Wilma,

Wilda and Lucille and

brothers, Cecil, Ken and

Bud.

Funeral service: 11:00

a.m. Thursday, September

27, 2018, at Cornerstone

Presbyterian Church,

Minot.

Interment: Sunset

Memorial Gardens, Minot.

Visitation: One hour

prior to the start of the

service at the church on

Thursday.

Memorials are preferred

to an organization of the

donor’s choice. Please

perform an act of kind-

ness today in honor of

Vivian.

Memories and con-

dolences can be shared at

www.thomasfamily

funeralhome.com.