Vivian Merkel, 83, Washburn, ND died December 30, 2019 at CHI Community Memorial Hospital, Turtle Lake. ND. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, January 11, 2020 at First Lutheran Church, Washburn with Pastor Curt Hanson officiating. Inurnment will be held later this summer in Riverview Cemetery, Washburn.

Vivian was born February 7, 1936 in Campbell County, South Dakota the daughter of Reinhold and Ella (Hoff) Lindemann. She was raised on a farm SW of Eureka, SD and attended country school. She graduated from the Eureka High School and she also attended Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen, SD where she received her teaching certificate. Vivian taught school in Selby, SD and Tioga, ND before moving to Washburn in 1958. She married Thomas "Tom" E. Merkel on June 10, 1956 in Eureka.

She was very active in the Washburn community, she was a member and curator for the Mclean County Historical Society. Vivian was also a member of the First Lutheran Church WELCA, Washburn American Legion Auxiliary and Aid Association for Lutherans. She was a Cub Scout leader for several years and also a 4-H leader many years.

Vivian enjoyed playing the accordion in the "Friends" band and for the Hostfest Accordion Band. She also enjoyed teaching, reading, singing, painting and visiting with elderly shut-ins.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Tom; her sons, Cameron (Julie) Merkel of Harwood, ND and Christopher (Chantel) Merkel of Billerica, MA and her daughter, Joyce Marie Merkel of Billerica, MA; her grandchildren, Andrew (Asia), William, Elizabeth, Kathleen, Fiala, Alexander and Nicholas; her sister, Lynn (Ken) Larsen of Ft. Pierre, SD and a brother-in-law, Walter Singer of Renton, WA and many nieces and nephews.

Vivian was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Clark Merkel and a sister, Olivia Singer.