Vivian Kniffin, 89, lifelong Minot resident died on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 in her home with her family at her side.

Vivian Violet Klimpel was born on February 6, 1924 in Minot to Ernest and Violet (Lewis) Klimpel. She was reared and educated in Minot, graduated from Minot High School in 1942, attended Minot State Teachers College and graduated from the St. Francis School of Nursing in Minot as a registered nurse. She served in the Cadet Nurse Corp from 1942 until 1945.

Vivian married Clayton Kniffin on June 30, 1945 in Minot. They made their home in Minot where she was employed at St. Joseph's Hospital for forty years until she retired in 1985. Clayton died on March 21, 1990. She was extremely proud of the fact that she had lived on the same block (12th Street & 7th Ave N.E for her entire life.

Vivian was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and its LWML and a bible study group. She especially enjoyed crocheting, sewing, embroidery, traveling and spending time with her family.

Vivian is survived by her children : Arlice Benham, Minot; Janice (Randall) Smith, Minot, Alan (Judy) Kniffin, Vancouver WA; JoEllen Huber, Mesa AZ; Craig (Nancy) Kniffin, Damascus, OR; Nancy (John) Holden, Disputana VA; Margaret (Ken) Curtis, Reiner OR; Jeff (Annette) Kniffin, Minot; twenty-one grandchildren; twenty-eight great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; siblings: Leona Johnson and Wanda (Paul) Kalamaha, both of Minot and Betty Keeler, Spokane WA; sister-in-law: Pearl East, Klamath Falls, OR and numerous nieces and nephews.

Vivian was preceded in death by her parents, husband, grandchildren, Robert and Kennedy, an infant sister, along with brothers, Rueben & Edwin and sisters, Irene, Gertrude and Agnes, son in law, Robert Benham and grandson in law, Randy Hackworth.

Funeral Service: Saturday, December 7, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Paul's Lutheran Church - Minot.
Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens - Minot.
Visitation: Friday from 2:00-7:00p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
In lieu of flowers or plants the family prefers memorials.