Vivian Matheson

Vivian Matheson, age 94, of Milaca, passed away Tuesday, December 16, 2025. Funeral services will be held Monday, December 22, 2025 at 11 AM at Milaca Evangelical Free Church. Interment will follow the luncheon at the Orrock Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.

Vivian Lorraine Hill was born to Simon and Mabel Hill in Orrock, MN on March 9,1931. She was the fifth of six children. She came to know the Lord at an early age, growing up in a strong Christian home, and attending church regularly. She attended country school through 8th grade and then went to the Big Lake High School, where she graduated near the top of her class in 1949. Vivian worked at General Mills in Minneapolis and also attended Northwestern College for one year. She met Don Matheson in 1951 and in 1953, they were married.

In 1955, their daughter Melodee was born, then in 1957, their son Kevin was born, and in 1964 their third child Valorie was born. Don served in several churches in Minnesota and North Dakota, and Vivian was his dedicated secretary for all those years. The district superintendent at one time, told Don that Vivian was one of the best pastors’ wives in the whole district! She not only did an excellent job as Don's secretary, but she was also a stay at home mom who alongside Don enjoyed gardening. She always made sure that the house was clean, delicious food was made, especially lots of homemade cookies and breads, and plenty of home canned goods from their gardens. Vivian was also an avid quilter and loved to craft and sew. She enjoyed being involved in church activities, women's ministries, and teaching Sunday school.

She thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her eight grandkids and her nine great grandkids. Viv especially loved playing the card game SkipBo every evening... even up to the very end of her days on hospice, she wasn't willing to give in to any exhaustion from her cancer, and she could still be found playing SkipBo nearly every evening with Don and the family.

Vivian was preceded in death by her parents, and her siblings Lillian Lund, Kermit Hill, Earl Hill, and Ruth Crapser.

Remaining to cherish her memory are her husband Don; children Melodee (Rich) Hall, Kevin (Mary) Matheson, and Valorie Swanson; eight grandchildren Carissa (Lucas) Youngsma, Brenda (Garret) Kielb, Stacy Hall, Monica Huff, Christopher Huff, Justin Matheson, Derrick (Jennifer) Matheson, Kelsey Swanson; nine great-grandchildren. Vara Youngsma, Landon Youngsma, Eli Kielb, Connor Kielb, Brayden Kielb, Odin Kielb, Dakota Matheson, Cheyton Matheson, Brielle Matheson; brother Marvin (Dorothy) Hill and also by several nieces, nephews and cousins.