Vivian Sims, age 93 of Washburn, ND died Thursday, April 23, 2009 at the Medcenter One Mandan Care Center.

Funeral Services: 10:30 AM Monday, April 27, 2009;
Washburn United Methodist Church;
Rev. Marvin Winstryg, Officiating

Interment: Riverview Cemetery - Washburn

Visitation: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM Sunday at Goetz Funeral Home – Washburn;
Monday, one hour prior to time of service at the church.

Vivian was born December 12, 1915 near Storm Lake, Iowa to Martin & Ella (Degner) Hoyer. Her parents moved to North Dakota when she was three months old. Vivian was raised on a farm north of Washburn and attended school in Underwood. She graduated from Underwood High School in 1933. Vivian married William "Bill" Sims on November 29, 1934. They lived in Underwood for a short time before moving to Washburn in 1945. Vivian was well-known throughout the area as an exceptional cook and received many phone calls requesting her recipes. Her cooking talent earned her first place in a ND Game and Fish Department Contest with her recipe for "Venison Mustard Steak". Vivian cooked for many community events and is remembered for her "egg coffee". While raising her children, she contributed her efforts to the local Boy Scouts and 4-H Clubs. She was an active member of the Sakakawea Homemakers Club and served as President of the Washburn Art Association for several years. Vivian was a member of the Washburn United Methodist Church and served with the U.M.W. for over 50 years. Throughout her lifetime, Vivian opened her home to many people and always offered coffee, cookies, and warm conversation to all her guests. Her love and devotion for her children and grandchildren will always be remembered.

She is survived by her five children; two sons, Dennis (Dee) Sims of Bismarck, & Billy Sims of Washburn; three daughters, Marlys (Tom) Thompson of Reed Point, MT, Debbie Stelter of Bismarck, & DeAnn (Doug) Yunker of Bismarck; 15 grandchildren & 22 great-grandchildren; one brother, Bruce (Alice) Hoyer of Oacoma, SD; & one sister, Florence Holmes of Miles City, MT.

She was preceded in death by her husband (William "Bill"), three sons (Curt, Ronnie, & Richie), three brothers (Virgel, Vincent, & Denton), & one sister (Ethel).

Memorials are preferred to the Washburn United Methodist Church
(PO Box 66, Washburn, ND 58577)