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.