Vivian Kelly

Vivian Leona Kelly, 98, Larimore, ND, died Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019, in the Good Samaritan home of Larimore.

Vivian was born on November 3rd, 1920, in Dahlen, ND, the daughter of Ole and Inga Hall.  She was raised in Dahlen and graduated from high school there.  She then attended Minot State Teachers College, from which she graduated.  Her first teaching job was in International Falls, MN.  She taught school there for one year, after which she accepted a teaching position at a one-room school in rural Niagara, ND.  It was there that she met her future husband, Roscoe Kelly, when he came from his nearby farm to the school each morning to start the woodstove for her.  They married on January 27th, 1945, and she became his life partner in the farming operation.

Vivian was the maker of beautiful quilts, terrible dill pickles, and spectacular lefse, but her greatest joy was her family:  loving them, wrangling them, and ardently supporting their athletic endeavors -- often loudly.

Vivian was preceded in death by her husband Roscoe, daughter-in-law EllaRae Kelly, and granddaughter Rachel Kelly Yahna.  She is survived by two sons, Michael (Jane) Kelly, Niagara, ND, and Steven (Jody) Kelly, Arlington, VA; daughter Karen (Mike) Kelly Larson, St. Louis Park, MN; grandsons Joel Kelly, Grand Forks, ND,  Colin Kelly, Chicago, IL, and Samuel Larson, St. Louis Park, MN; granddaughters Melissa (Clayton) Schmitz, Salt Lake City, UT, and Stevie Kelly, Fairfax, VA; and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 30th, 2019, at Petersburg Lutheran Church, Petersburg, ND, with visitation one hour before the service.  A luncheon will be served in the fellowship hall of the church following the service.  Burial will be at Niagara Cemetery.  Arrangements are with Bakke Funeral Homes of Larimore.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Vivian’s name to the American Cancer Society, one of her favorite charities.