Vivian Johnson Kirkevold, 95, Minot and formerly of Souris, died Thursday April 16, 2020 in a Minot hospital from complications related to dementia.

Vivian Marie was born on February 4, 1925 on the family farm near Souris, ND to Harold and Gurie (Brenden) Nordsletten. She was raised on the family farm and went to both a country school and Augustana Lutheran Academy in Canton, SD. She continued her education at the North Dakota School of Forestry in Bottineau. As a young adult she and two friends operated a gift shop in Bottineau.

While working in Mohall, Vivian met Marlowe Johnson and they were married on September 25, 1949 at Lesje Lutheran Church near Souris. They made their home in Minot where she was employed by the Selective Service Administration and he was employed by the Minot Public School System eventually becoming Superintendent. They were the parents of seven children: Diane, Susan, Vickie, Peggy, Marlowe, Kurt and Douglas. Vivian's children spent many summer days at her family's farm near Souris helping her parents with farming, gardening, and household chores. Later, they owned and operated the Parker Hotel in downtown Minot.

Vivian later married Earl Kirkevold on November 17, 1982. They made their home in Minot. He died in April of 1989. Vivian was a co-owner of Bell Tower Antiques in Burlington, ND with Twyla Bohrer. She loved looking for antiques to sell in their shop. She continued to reside in Minot where she assisted her daughter, Peggy, in the operation of Peggy's Gift Shoppe. Most recently she resided at Minot Health and Rehab for the past seven years.

Vivian was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, enjoying Couple's Club and Mother-Daughter Teas. She enjoyed sewing and making her children's clothes when they were young. Vivian loved gardening and growing beautiful flowers, especially gladiolas. Vivian loved games, baking and cooking, art, drawing and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Vivian's loving family includes her children: Diane Johnson Eddy (Gary Prinzing) of Great Falls MT; Vickie (Kevin) Jean of Edmond, OK; Peggy (Tim) Beach of Minot; Marlowe Jr. (Jennifer) Johnson of Minot and Kurt Johnson of Edina MN; daughter-in-law: Judy Johnson of Minnetonka, MN; her twenty-two grandchildren: Rachel Lazenby, Rebekah Lesser, Matthew, Gabrielle, Josie, and Zach Eddy; Jennifer Katzung, Melissa Blood and Christopher Jean; Anthony, Alex, Ashley and Andrew Beach; Michael, Marcus and Matthew Johnson; Sarah Uzlik, Benjamin and Stephen Johnson; David Nordsletten, Eric and Chloe Johnson and 21 great grandchildren. Several nieces, nephews and cousins including Owen Brenden of Minot also survive.

Vivian was preceded in death by her parents, husband, infant daughter: Susan, son: Douglas, daughter-in-law: Maureen Johnson, granddaughter: Nicole Johnson and brothers: Orville, Howard and Harold Jr. Nordsletten.

Celebration of the Life of Vivian Johnson Kirkevold : ( Tentatively ) July 31, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. in Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot.

An online Register may be signed and memories and condolences shared at www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Memorials are preferred to the Minot Public School Foundation or Alzheimer's Association.