Benita M. (Lemer) Vivian

an, Hoffman Estates, IL

and formerly of Drake and

Minot, passed away on

February 8, 2019 after a

brief illness.

Born in Minot, she was

the only daughter of Ben-

jamin and Rita (Bruner)

Lemer. Benita grew up on

a farm outside Drake

where she graduated from

high school. She also stu-

died at Minot Business

College. Benita married

Howard Vivian, and they

moved to the Chicago area

where they worked and

raised their family.

Benita was an avid Chi-

cago Cubs fan, lover of

Broadway shows, enjoyed

live music, travel, wine

and neighborhood fes-

tivals including returning

to North Dakota for high

school reunions and town

celebrations. She had a

fun, loving spirit, a pas-

sion for her work at

Career Education Cor-

poration and danced her

way through life with her

radiant smile and beauti-

ful eyes. Benita cultivated

relationships with the

many people she met and

was always up for a little

fun, laughter and making

memories with those she

knew and loved.

Benita is survived by

her two sons, Jason

(Sarah) Vivian and Brent

(Jemma) Vivian; parents,

Benjamin and Rita Lemer,

four grandchildren to

whom she was their lov-

ing “Nita” – Logan, Len-

non, Aralyn, and Langs-

ton Vivian as well as step-

grandson, Jacob Cabral;

two brothers, Robin Le-

mer and Lowell Lemer;

sister-in-law Judy Lemer;

former husband, Howard

Vivian; significant other,

Robert Wersching; many

cousins, nieces, nephews,

extended family, beloved

friends and co-workers.

Benita was preceded in

death by her brother,

Ryan Lemer.

In accordance with her

wishes, a Celebration of

Life will be held at a later

date. Memorials may be

made in her honor to the

Anthony Rizzo Founda-

tion.