Vivian Marie Wheelock was born April 6, 1933 to Dan and Ethel Wheelock in Birchdale, MN. She passed away peacefully at home in Hillsboro, Oregon on Sept. 22nd, 2011 from cancer. Vivian grew up in Birchdale and attended grade school at Birchdale and Border, MN. Vivian attended Indus High School for 3 years. Her mother and she then moved to Minneapolis, MN where her mother obtained work as a home care nurse and Vivian attended Robinsdale High School, graduating as an honor student. Vivian spent 1 year in nurses training at University of Minnesota and eventually worked for Northwestern National Life Insurance.
On Jan 7. 1945 Vivian married John Grund, whom she had known since age 10, and they moved to their farm in Pitt, MN. Four sons were born to them: Eric, Dan, John Michael and Theodore who, along with their families including 9 grandchildren survive her. Her husband John, two brothers; George of International Falls, MN and Stanley of Georgia also survive her. Preceding Vivian in death were her parents, her brothers Lester and Dean, and her sister Doris.
In 1964 John and Vivian left the farm and moved to Oregon. Vivian took a job at a health spa to help the family when John was hospitalized in 1965 and later worked in nursing homes in Washington County. In 1975 she obtained her real estate license and sold real estate until retirement. Vivian's natural joys were her family first and then gardening. She was happy when she had her little shovel in hand and could weed the flowerbeds. She also enjoyed cooking and having friends over for dinner. Vivian suffered a stroke in 2004, which left her without the use of her left arm and leg, but she continued to do her favorite things, gardening and cooking. She even continued to bake homemade bread and her famous pies.
Vivian embraced the teachings of Jesus Christ at an early age and showed her love for Him in her life. She loved deeply and will be sorely missed. Her faith sustained her to the end.
A Memorial Services will be held on Monday September 26, 2011 at 1:00 P.M. at Donelson Fir Lawn Memorial Center.