Vivian Ione Neilson

Vivian was born on April 4, 1928, on the north-east corner of Sifton Township, at the homestead of her parents, Leroy and Amanda Berg. She grew up helping on the farm, hunting for food and cooking it for the hired help - honing skills that would carry her through her working life.

On September 25, 1946, Vivian married Garnett Neilson who grew up near the south-west corner of Sifton. They bought a mixed farm north of Stratton which eventually grew into a sizeable beef farm. Along the way, they raised seven children on home grown food.

Mom's five girls were proud to wear the dresses and other, “for good” clothing that she made for them and she passed those skills on to them, along with cooking and carpentry.

Snowmobiling, square dancing and quilt making were favourite activities in the middle years. Vivian was known throughout the district for her creativity. Many brides remember her making their wedding dress and the bride's Maids' gowns, and also decorating the wedding cake. They would show her a picture of the dress they wanted and she would make it .

After nearly forty years of farming Garnett and Vivian moved to the river, east of Pinewood, and built her dream house, that had been many years in the planning. They spent fifteen happy years there, gardening, fishing, cruising on the pontoon boat, garage saling, and occasionally exploring North America.

When they could no longer maintain the river property, they bought a condo on the river in Fort Frances. After Garnett's passing, and with her declining mobility, she moved to Rainycrest and was happy there.

Mom has never been one to look back with regret and her family finds comfort in knowing that the current move is the same – always looking forward.

Vivian was predeceased by her parents Leroy and Amanda (Mundahl) Berg; husband Garnett; son Ronald; son-in-law Melvin Olson; siblings Clifford and Alton Berg; Gladys Welch, Lucille Gemmell, Evelyn Armstrong and Alice Hartviksen.

She leaves behind, her son Richard (Linda) Neilson (Mark, Peter); daughters: Linda (Bill) Fadden, (Ken, Dan, Dena, Chris); Candace Olson (Chris, Tanya, Neil); Elizabeth (Wayne) Salchert (Ron, Brent Oster); Laurie Spanninga (Vic Juhala) (Crystal, Jolaine); and Faye (Kelvin) Flatt, ( Amy, Jason.) She also leaves 28 great grandchildren, sisters-in-law Lou Neilson, Dixie Kivi, Grace Neilson, and Brother-in-law Wm. (Moie) Neilson, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

On Mom's behalf the family would like to thank the staff at Rainycrest who treated her so well throughout her stay and especially to Dr Nelson and nursing staff for their professionalism and kindness in her final hours.

A memorial service will be held on Friday February 9, 2018 at 2:00 pm, at the Knox United Church in Fort Frances, ON with Reverend Barbara Miller officiating.

Cremation has taken place, with interment at Pine Ridge Cemetery in North Branch, ON, at a later date.

Honourary pallbearers will be Vivian's grandchildren.

If so desired, in memoriam donations may be made to the FSH Muscular Dystrophy Society, or the charity of your choice.

To send online condolences please go to: www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com.