On December 26, 2025, at the age of 94, Vivian left this earth to be reunited with her loving husband, Ron, who passed in 2013. She is also preceded in death by her sister Janet Helland and husband Richard Helland, her brother Glenn Whaley, and
several other beloved family members.
Vivian will be greatly missed by her daughter, Patti Sessions; son-in-law, Greg; granddaughter, Kayla; and great grandson, Henry; who all currently reside in Utah. Vivian is also survived by her younger brother, Richard Whaley (St. Cloud, MN),
her sister-in-law, Joan Whaley (West Fargo, ND), her sister-in-law, Irene Hundtofte (Fargo, ND), cousins, and many nieces and nephews who have very fond memories of visits with Ron and Viv.
Vivian was born in Fosston, Minnesota, to Marie Lundhagen Whaley and Vivian Glenn Whaley on December 17, 1931. She graduated from Fosston High School in 1949 having participated in band, choir, glee club, and yearbook design. She went
on to graduate from the Swedish School of Nursing in Minneapolis in 1952. Subsequently, she worked in Fosston as a nurse and met Ron when he was a patient with a broken leg. She and Ron were married on July 2, 1956, in Fosston, Minnesota.
Through the years, she and Ron resided in Bemidji and Fosston, Minnesota; Opheim and Cascade, Montana; and Salem, Oregon. Over time, Vivian earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from Montana State University and a doctorate degree in education from the University of Montana. Ron taught high school business classes and driver’s education, coached sports, and drove school bus. Vivan was a town nurse, a school nurse, a hospital nurse, a parish nurse, and finally a professor of nursing. She was a nurse to the core and was frequently consulted by family and friends for medical advice. Vivian retired in 1997 from teaching nursing for Montana State University in Great Falls. Shortly after, she and Ron moved to Oregon to be near Patti and Greg and especially granddaughter Kayla with whom they both had a very special bond. Trips to see relatives, snow- birding in Mesa, and beach trips were favorite activities.
After Ron passed away, Vivian missed him dearly. She kept busy with researching family history, reading, doing crossword puzzles, watching old western movies, shopping, exercising, finding ways and gadgets to remain independent, and visiting with family and friends in person and via the phone.
Vivian moved with Patti and Greg to Utah in June of 2024 to be close to Kayla and family. During her time in Utah, Vivian continued her hobbies and enjoyed fun activities with family—particularly with Henry, her dear, sweet great-grandson.
Vivian was a woman of much faith and a devout follower of Christ. She was a generous, caring, and giving person who had a positive impact on so many lives.
What a sweet reunion she can now have with her Savior, her loving husband, and her family and friends!
See you on the other side—our beautiful and strong Vivian!
A gathering to celebrate Vivian will be held during the summer of 2026 in Minnesota. Details will be determined later. Graveside services will be held in Fosston during that time.
In the meantime, please enjoy having ice cream or cheesecake with your family in honor of Viv and Ron!
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