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Funeral services will take place on Saturday, July 18, 2015 at 11:00 AM (Mountain).

American Legion Hall
Philip, South Dakota

Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota



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In memory of

Vivian Hansen

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at the Philip Nursing Home in Philip at the age of 95

Vivian Carol Hansen was born June 21, 1919, in the Grindstone area of South Dakota to Rolla and Effie Palmer. Her lineage, though, can be traced back to pilgrims arriving in this country in the late 1500s. She lived her entire life in South Dakota. She attended most of her high school years at Cottonwood, but graduated from Philip High School, class of 1937.

Vivian was united in marriage to Virgil Wayne Hansen on April 1, l939, at Ft. Pierre, South Dakota. After Virgil served in WWII, Vivian and Virgil purchased 420 acres north of Philip, which became their home.

Five of Virgil and Vivian’s ten children were born in Philip. About the time the youngest were ready for school, Vivian took an extension course at Philip offered by Black Hills State University. Bitten by the bug for education, Vivian continued her studies, eventually earning a master’s degree in special education from BHSU. While earning her degree and for many years thereafter, Vivian taught at country schools. The last fifteen years of her career she spent in the Belvidere and Kadoka school systems.

Vivian had numerous interests and hobbies. A natural botanist, she had an affinity for chokecherries, wild plums, and the flora of the prairie. She loved to raise flowers and vegetables, and was always curious about what people had growing. Her paintings were displayed at Wall Drug Store and won awards. She was fond of word games, worked crosswords, and played Scrabble to her last day! She carded wool, stitched quilts, played piano, and read avidly. In his journal, her father wrote “Gave Vi my last dollar for books.” She was a member of Friends of the Library, and in retirement penned the Hit & Miss column in the Philip Pioneer Review. Because of her rich and accomplished life, she was nominated for the South Dakota Pioneer Woman Award.
At age 90, she was Philip Parade Marshall and June 21st was declared Vivian Hansen Day. She moved to Somerset Court soon thereafter where she lived until 2015. She stayed active doing crafts, playing bingo, Scrabble, cards, goofy golf, and pool. She walked laps and encouraged others to participate as well. Vivian died peacefully at the Philip Nursing Home on June 20th, one day shy of her 96th birthday.

Vivian and her husband Virgil raised six sons and four daughters: Virgil Wayne Hansen (Gwynn) of Rapid City; Delores (Mrs. Donald) Denke of Pavillion, Wyoming; Cecile Marie Klassen (deceased); Carol Ann (Mrs. Al) Vogan of Colorado Springs; M.R. Hansen (Barbara) of Philip; L. Ralph Hansen of Bend, Oregon; Frank Hansen (Kathryn Knowles) of Albuquerque, New Mexico; David Hansen (Janet) of Ft. Pierre; Vinnie Hansen (Daniel Friedman) of Santa Cruz, California, and Hans Hansen of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Vivian leaves twenty-three grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, and eight great –great-grandchildren.

Vivian was preceded in death by her husband Virgil (Dobby) Hansen; her daughter, Cecile Marie Klassen; her son-in-law Donald Denke; and her daughter-in-law Charlotte Hansen; her parents, her three siblings and their spouses: Evalynn (Harry) Hulett, Cecile (Walter) Meyer, and Richard (Gertrude) Palmer, one great-granddaughter.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Vivian Hansen Special Education Scholarship at Philip High School.

A celebration-of-life memorial service was held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 18, 2015, at the American Legion Hall in Philip.


Open the Memorial Folder

MEMORIAL SERVICES
Saturday, July 18, 2015 - 11:00 a.m.
American Legion Hall
Philip, South Dakota

CLERGY
Pastor Kathy Chesney

MUSIC
Chuck & Ruth Carstensen - Vocalists
“Amazing Grace”
“Mockingbird Hill”
“How Great Thou Art”

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

  • So sorry to hear of Vivian's passing. She was instrumental in starting the Special Ed classes in Kadoka and I think Darcy was one of the very first students at only 7 months of age! Vivian was always "vivacious" and loved to keep busy. We have great memories of this cherished lady.
     ~ Nancy Peterson Kadoka (6/20/2015)
  • Aunt Vivian was such a great lady. I will always remember playing Scrabble with her at Somerset Court. She was the Scrabble Queen - not only could she tell you that her word was a good word but she would also tell you the definition! She always had a positive attitude and told me several times that I should always keep on learning new things, my mind would never be too full! Thanks, Vivian, for those words of wisdom. You will forever be missed. ~ Janet Hansen Rapid City (6/20/2015)
  • A lady that will never be forgotten. I stayed part of a school year with the Vivian and Dobby. She made me feel welcome. She always had a smile on her face and often a book in her hand. I will never forget the day David pulled a dead deer through the the living room and Vivian just looked over her shoulder and said, "Nice deer Fuddy." What amazed me was she meant it and seemed to ignore the blood and hair on the floor. I appreciated the way she looked at life. It seemed like she had a filter that always saw the good. Vinnie I am sorry to hear about your mom and my prayers are with the entire family. ~ Barbara Smith Coy Sundance Wyoming (6/20/2015)
  • What a Lady. I so remember Vivian always walking. Up and down the hills of Philip. The many activities she was always doing, never still. ~ Lana Elshere Milesville (6/20/2015)
  • Our sincerest thoughts & Prayers are with Vivian's family at this time. It is a difficult time in ones life when they lose their Mom. No matter the age; they are a very Special person in ones life. Cherish the Good memories and they will overshadow your loss. Sincerely, Kathy & Jerry Noteboom ~ Kathy & Jerry Noteboom 21309 Cabin Rd. Lead, SD 57754 (6/20/2015)
  • She is one person I thought may live forever, as I have not known anyone with more energy and curiosity. I cherish the memories of living across from her and watching her explorations around her home and along the road. We had many wonderful visits, and she gave my kids many books and treats. Sometimes we received a loaf of her freshly made whole wheat bread as a thank you for some little favor. Loved this little powerhouse of a lady. Thanks for sharing your Mom with us. ~ Rita OConnell Philip (6/20/2015)
  • Just thinking of all the memories of Vivian. When we had nightly swimming at the pool years ago. Here Vivian would come to swim no matter how chilly the water she would never complain. I know she would have enjoyed the heated & zero entry pool. What a cool lady! Always taking notes and visiting and caring about others. Loved her like she was my grandma!! Love & Prayers Debbie and Marty ~ Debbie & Marty Hansen PO BOX 331 Philip SD 57567 (6/20/2015)
  • Oh Vivian, what a role model for life. She was always so happy to sit and visit for a while and share her experiences with you. She shared many old family stories about my mom and her family and how much fun they had as kids growing up in the Grindstone country. She made you see life in vivid color and always made me smile when I was around her. Her zest for life and her want to experience everything she heard about or read about, spinning wool from start to finish, standing the egg on end at equinox and always learning and reading. She will be greatly missed and always remembered. So sorry for your loss of your mom, grandma and great grandma. I'll bet she is dancing across heaven! ~ Sonny and Betty LaBeau Philip SD (6/20/2015)
  • Sorry to hear of Vivian's passing. I always thought a lot of her.She will be missed for her news and thoughts of life!
     ~ Joe Millage Philip SD (6/20/2015)
  • To the family of Vivian, my prayers and thoughts with the loss of your Mother. She was a very special lady. God Bless ~ Cathy Fiedler 2130 Ellen St. Sturgis, S.D. (6/20/2015)
  • I think I only met Vivian once, but we so enjoyed her column in the paper. Her mind was always going, as she wrote her news, and then would insert something she wanted everyone to know, like a new word or something she herself just found out. I believe she was always challenging herself and other, as well. I will miss her writings and want the family to cherish their precious memories. She was one grand lady. God bless her life, legacy and memories. ~ Dorothy & Nels Paulson Hayes, SD (6/20/2015)
  • Aunt Vivian was an amazing person. Although her body was failing her mind was as sharp as ever. Let's hope we all live as full a life as she did. ~ Randy Kanago Rapid City (6/20/2015)
  • Sympathies to a legend from Philip!! ~ bonnie moses Nebraska (6/20/2015)
  • We feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to have known Vivian. A lover of life and all things living, she brought her curiosity and love of learning everywhere she went. One of the times I stopped to see her in the nursing home, she was laying in her bed, with her feet up like a teenager, reading a book. Notepads and papers everywhere where she had written many things, probably for her news column. I thought if we could live life like Vivian we would be so lucky. She was a great lady and will be missed so much, and she certainly has left a legacy. ~ Byron & Cherry Denke Quinn, SD (6/20/2015)
  • Vivian lived a long and mostly healthy life. She kept her mind working and loved people. I remember eating fresh bread with butter and sugar at their house, something we never had at home. Philip will never forget the lady with the paper and pen. ~ jim and Vonnie O'Dea Howes, SD (6/20/2015)
  • I had the pleasure of working alongside Vivian in the Kadoka district and have many memories of her love of children and her dedication to whatever she enjoyed. What a lovely lady who loved and lived life to the fullest. Cherish all your memories and be thankful she was a part of all our lives. ~ Pam Bonenberger Kadoka (6/20/2015)
  • Just read this living in the South my area news is often greatly delayed....have freatly enjoyed her column she has left a lasting leagacy and some very accomplished children and grands...my condolences to you all she will be missed....wow what a lady.... ~ Raynae L.Richburg 11744-B walker rd irvington al (6/20/2015)
  • What a great lady! When I was in elementary school she gave out books and wrote in them - always trying to instill knowledge and a love of reading! I was lucky enough to get to spend some time with her when she came with her grandson to head start. She was so patient and positive with everyone. She will be truly missed. ~ Kristie (Byrd) Stone Kadoka (6/20/2015)
  • What a terrific lady! I learned much about our part of SD by reading her columns for years as well as her journals. She was the ultimate teacher until the very end. Many memories of Vivian. She led an amazing life!! ~ Susan (Tweetum Urban)Magnuson Rock Springs, WY (6/20/2015)
  • After reading the memories people have of Vivian, I gave some thought to my own memories. We moved into Philip in 1948 and lived just over a block from the Hansen home, before it was moved to it's present location. Wayne and I became close friends, and still are. We went between each other's homes many times and got to know each other's family quite well as the years went by. One of my memories of Vivian that many of you don't know, is that in the early to mid-60s, she rode a motorcycle around town. That was something quite unusual at that time, a woman riding a motorcycle. She wasn't afraid to try new things or things others wouldn't do. She was a special lady and we'll all miss her. ~ Gerry Thorvaldson Casper, WY (6/20/2015)
  • I remember Vivian being the leader of my 4 H club. She was so patient and kind. I spent an afternoon with her when I was about 12, making bread for an entry in the fair. Wonderful woman and always had a smile on her face.
     ~ Janice Heigh 2500 Lunar Drive (6/20/2015)
  • Vivian was Eric's special education teacher when we moved to Kadoka when my husband accepted the job as high school principal's job there in 1982. Pam Bonenberger was Joel's pre-school teacher as a 3 year old. Although we were there only 2 years we remember her well. She was a very active and busy person full of life with many interests. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family as you adjust in the days ahead. ~ Cathy Tyson 901 E. 18th St. N. Newton, IA (6/20/2015)