Vivian Iyone Schafer

Vivian Iyone Schafer, 80, Bismarck, died October 21, 2012. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Friday, October 26, 2012, at Church of Corpus Christi, Bismarck, with Rev. Dennis Schafer and Rev. Paul Becker officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm Thursday, October 25, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a vigil service will begin at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Vivian was born July 24, 1932, in Mandan, ND, the daughter of Lindeman and Edna Torkelson Larson. She was raised in Flasher, ND, where she attended Oak Coulee Grade School and graduated valedictorian from Flasher High School in 1950. Vivian graduated from the University of Mary in 1977 with a double degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. She was employed by Northwestern Bell from 1950 – 1951. Vivian married Peter Schafer on July 4, 1951. She worked at Jack and Jill Kindergarten for 12 years; was co-owner and co-director of First Steps Learning Center in Bismarck for 12 years; and was employed by the University of Mary for 17 years supervising Early Childhood student teachers. Vivian was a member of Corpus Christi in Bismarck, Sonrise and 55 Choir Ministry, the North Dakota Association for Education of Young Children, the ND Children's Caucus, American Legion Auxiliary and the 'Ladies with Pizzaz' Red Hat Group. She served as a Guardian ad Litem and worked as a child advocate and lobbyist for children and youth issues. Vivian found pleasure in maintaining scrapbooks for her grandchildren, knitting, crocheting, crafts, and playing games with family. She and Pete enjoyed opening their home to entertain family and friends. Vivian is survived by her son, Wayde, Mandan; two daughters, Wanda Steve Haney, Lawrence, KS, and Wendy Schafer, McCall, ID; seven grandchildren, Noah Schafer, Alyssa Amara Montsion, Emily Brandon Edling, Leah Matt Henry, Will Haney, Matthew Fronk, and John Fronk; four great-grandchildren, Ella Henry, Rece Henry, Lucas Edling, and Jonas Edling. She was preceded in death by her husband, Peter and her parents. Memorials may be given to the Cancer Research Institute, God's Child Project, or Church of Corpus Christi, Bismarck.

Vivian Iyone Schafer

July 24, 1932 - October 21, 2012