Vivian Frances Rasmussen

Vivian’s Story as told by Vivian

I was born Vivian Frances on March 3rd, 1924 at Norquay, Saskatchewan to Martha and Thorvald Rud.  My mother passed away when I was 6 weeks old and I was adopted by Lillian and Sanford (Sam) Abray of Norquay, Saskatchewan at the age of seven months. I had two sisters and 3 brothers that I didn’t get to know until later in life.  As a kid I liked to dress up my kittens, play with the animals and ride my horse. My dog, Collie was always by my side.  My schooling was all in Norquay.

In 1942, I joined the RCAF (W.D.) and was in the motor transport division as a driver till the end of the war in 1945. I was stationed in Gander, Newfoundland which was considered an overseas posting.

After the war, I went to hairdressing school in Saskatoon.  I moved to Swan River and opened a hairdressing salon above Paull’s Hardware. Within a few months Willis Paull was courting me and we were married on November 9, 1947. Willis had a 4 year old daughter Penny by a previous marriage. Our daughter Wendee was born on September 5th, 1948.  As a family we enjoyed spending time with friends, attending sporting events and summers at the cabin at Madge Lake. Willis and I attended many Rotary International conventions around the world.  In 1975 my husband Willis passed away.  For 10 years I lived alone in an apartment in Swan River.  I had many enjoyable visits with my children and grandchildren  and we often took trips together.  I met John Rasmussen at the Lutheran Church and on June 29th, 1985 we were married and I moved to the farm with him.  I was happy to expand my family to include Stan and Bernie, Henry and Angie, and Victor & Linda and their children.  I loved being back on the farm but in 1989 we decided it was time to move to town. John continued to farm but we took many fabulous trips to different parts of the world and made many trips to visit family.  John passed away in 2013. The last four years of my life I was a resident of the Swan Valley Lodge and was treated with care and compassion by the staff.

I was always a people person.  I spent a lot of time over the years visiting patients in the hospital and spending time with the residents in the lodge and personal care home. I enjoyed curling and golfing…….in fact enjoyed most sports.   In my life I tried to be a good person, considerate, kind and with a smile for everyone. My daughter and grandchildren were very important to me and I am most thankful for having a life filled with loving family.

Survived by daughter Wendee (Rene) Cloutier, step daughter Penny (John) Lyle, step sons Stan (Bernie) Rasmussen, Henry (friend Angie) Rasmussen, stepdaughter Linda (Victor) Lee; grandchildren Craig (Olivia) Cloutier, Kristi (Craig) Klassen, Paul (Michelle) Nursey, Ian Lee, Eileen (Jay) deGuzman, Grant Lee, Rhonda Lee; great grandchildren Shasta (Steve) Ishikawa, Jami Ishikawa, Grace Klassen,  Gabrielle Klassen, Hugo Nursey, Caleb and Katherine deGuzman.

Predeceased by husband Willis Paull, husband John Rasmussen, granddaughter Deanna Cloutier, granddaughter Kerri Nursey

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