Vivian Richards, 101

Published 9:04 am Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Vivian Richards, 101, passed away Nov. 17, 2010, at Knute Nelson in Alexandria.

Vivian Richards

Vivian Marie Richards was born March 27, 1909, in Eastern Township, Otter Tail County, the tenth child of Swedish immigrants, Andrew and Anna (Peterson) Johnson. She was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Parkers Prairie.

Vivian graduated from Parkers Prairie High School in 1926 and after graduating from St. Cloud Teachers College, she taught school for five years in Faribault.

On July 9, 1934, she was united in marriage to Roy Richards. They resided in Austin where they owned and operated a grocery store. Roy passed away in 1973. Vivian moved to Alexandria, in 1983, to be close to family. She was an active member at Calvary Lutheran Church and a volunteer at Knute Nelson. In 2003, she became a resident at Knute Nelson. She was known by longtime friends as “Babe” and by her nieces and nephews as “Auntie Babe.”

Playing bridge was a favorite past-time of Vivian’s. She also enjoyed needlepoint, knitting and baking Swedish pastries and breads. Enjoying baseball and football, she closely followed the Twins and Vikings. During her retirement she enjoyed traveling, including, visits to Hawaii, Scandinavian countries and Israel.

Vivian is survived by nieces: Frances K. Ousley and Donna Sigfrid; nephews: Merton “Bud” (Irene) Johnson, Russell (Sally) Kiker, Gene Sigfrid, Robert Sigfrid and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at II a.m. on Monday, Dec. 6, 2010, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Pastor John Martinson will be officiating. Organist will be Becky Worley. Interment will be in the Swedish Lutheran Cemetery near Parkers Prairie. Pallbearers will be Andrew Jacobson, Joshua Jacobson, John Narum, Drew Schwab, Matthew Schwab, and Garrett Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be Al Stephani, Merton “Bud” Johnson and Russell Kiker.