Our amazing mother, grandmother, great- and great-great-grandmother passed away peacefully on Dec. 23, 2017.

Vivian Marie Thorson was born on Dec. 11, 1926, in Rothsay, Minnesota, to Otto and Mabel Vicha. She was raised on her parents’ farm near Corinth, North Dakota. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, attended Liberty School and graduated from Alamo High School. Vivian met and married Duane Thorson on Oct. 17, 1948, in McGregor, North Dakota. They resided in Williston, where they raised their three children, Vonnie, Dennis and Darla.

She was a wonderful mother, housewife, excellent seamstress, and loved to cook and bake, with lefse and her pies being some of the best. Later in life, as her children were grown, she worked part-time in retail and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, saying their prayers with them, telling them bedtime stories and attending their many events. She was a blessing to many of us. She was a woman of faith and great strength throughout her life. As our mother and grandmother, she will be deeply missed.

Preceding her in death were her parents; brother Art Vicha and Glen Vicha; and former husband Duane Thorson.

She is survived by her three sisters, Gladys Herdt of Billings, Alice Swenson of Tioga, North Dakota, and Cheryl Farhart of Ray, North Dakota; her three children, Vonnie Thorson of San Diego, Dennis Thorson of Williston and Darla (Roger) Huebner of Billings; her eight grandchildren, Jenny (Brad) Knutson, Kit (Kristen) Thorson, Chelsea (Travis) Christensen, Heidi (Eric) Barman, Tina (Drew) Poeckes, Jeb Thorson, Jason (Mary) Huebner and Jaime (Anthony) Nicastro; 23 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and her friend and daughter-in-law Lynn Garaas Myers.

Special thanks to Dr. Michael Hagan, his nurse Kristen and her nurse Shara for the compassion they showed to our mother; Lasting Legacy and all their caring staff, all of Billings.