Vivian M Barth

Vivian Marie Larson Barth, 97, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2013, at the Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center where she had lived since December of 2012. Services will be held at 11:00 am Friday, May 24, at First Lutheran Church, Bismarck, with Rev. Allen Wagner officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Thursday, May 23, at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck, where a prayer service will be held at 7:00 pm. Vivian was born on January 20, 1916, on a Swedish-American homestead just northeast of Bremen, northeastern Wells County, east-central North Dakota. Her father was Hans Theodore Larson from Skåne, Sweden and her mother was Albertina Matson Larson a 1st-generation Swede from Willmar, Minnesota. Vivian often remarked that she remembered how she enjoyed hearing her parents speak Swedish to one another. She attended a one-room schoolhouse outside of Bremen and then graduated from Maddock High School. She then completed Capital Commercial College in Bismarck. Once in Bismarck, she met the love of her life, David L. Barth, originally from Braddock, North Dakota. They were married on November 22, 1941, and on occasion Vivian would note that she and David married just two weeks before Pearl Harbor. During the war they relocated from North Dakota to Wichita, Kansas, where David worked for Boeing Aircraft. While in Wichita, Vivian worked for Cessna Aircraft. After the war, they relocated to Minot, and then Steele, North Dakota, before returning to Bismarck. Vivian worked at the North Dakota State Capital for many years. She retired in 1977. Especially in retirement, Vivian and David traveled and enjoyed taking trips together, making sure to visit all fifty states of the United States. Vivian was an avid quilter for many years at First Lutheran Church in Bismarck and at home, and her quilts still keep her family warm during the winter months. She was active in circle, Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center, Three Crowns Swedish Club, RSVP, the Birthday Club, and in many volunteering activities. She and David delivered countless meals-on-wheels and they both loved to garden. Vivian always cooked and baked, had endless supplies of cookies ready to serve, and regularly made Swedish meatballs for Christmas Eve. She adored spending time with and babysitting her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Vivian's family, church and friends were very important. When she sensed her family or friends were in distress, she would often console them by saying, "It will be okay." Vivian and David were married 62 years. David died on November 23, 2003, one day after their 62nd Wedding Anniversary. Vivian is now reunited with the love of her life. Vivian will be fondly missed and remembered by her sons and daughters in law, including David and Mavis of Glyndon, Minnesota, Paul and Julie of Bismarck, and Jim Barth and Barbara Schueller of Bloomington, Minnesota; eight grandchildren, Robin, Troy, Nicole, Nylene Loepp, Carmel Gonzales, Aaron, Matthew, and Adam; six great-grand children, including Ashlee, Jonathen, Anna Claire, Sona Gonzales, Colton Gonzales, and Brinn Gonzales; and other nieces and nephews. Vivian was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, David; her brothers and sisters, Lester, Kenneth, Alloyis Buddy, Roger, and Alyce Larson Anderson and Florence; and her great friend, Jeannine Christy. Memorials can go to First Lutheran Church, 800 N. 7th Street, Bismarck, ND 58501.

Vivian M Barth

January 20, 1916 - May 14, 2013