Vivian Hansen

June 21, 1919 - June 20, 2015

    Vivian Hansen, age 95, Philip, S.D., died June 20, 2015, at the Philip Nursing Home.
    Vivian Carol Palmer 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. After Virgil served in WWII, they purchased 420 acres north of Philip, which became their home.
    Five of Virgil and Vivian’s 10 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 (BHSU). 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 15 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 on 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 (in 2000), she was Scotty Philip Days’ Parade Marshall and June 21, 2000, 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 20, 2015, one day shy of her 96th birthday.
    Vivian and her husband, Virgil, raised six sons and four daughters, Virgil Wayne Hansen (Gwynn), Rapid City, Delores (Mrs. Donald) Denke, Pavillion, Wyo., Cecile Marie Klassen (deceased), Carol Ann (Mrs. Al) Vogan, Colorado Springs Colo., M.R. Hansen (Barbara), Philip; L. Ralph Hansen, Bend, Ore., Frank Hansen (Kathryn Knowles), Albuquerque, N.M., David Hansen (Janet), Ft. Pierre, Vinnie Hansen (Daniel Friedman), Santa Cruz, Calif., and Hans Hansen, Colorado Springs, Colo. Vivian leaves 23 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; her daughter-in-law, Charlotte Hansen; her parents, three siblings and their spouses, Evalynn (Harry) Hulett, Cecile (Walter) Meyer and Richard (Gertrude) Palmer; and 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 is planned for 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 18, 2015, at the American Legion Hall in Philip.
    Rush Funeral Home of Philip is in charge of arrangements.
    Her online guestbook can be viewed at www.rushfuneralhome.com

The Pioneer Review

221 E. Oak Street
Philip, SD 57567
Telephone: (605) 859-2516
E Mail: ads@pioneer-review.com

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