Vivian Rickford, age 100 of Lake Benton, formerly of Tyler, passed away Thursday, May 28, 2015 at Central Minnesota Senior Care in Lake Benton. A family prayer service will be held Saturday, June 6 at the First English Lutheran Church in Tyler and she will be laid to rest beside her husband, Arthur, in the Riverview Abbey Mausoleum in Portland, Oregon. Online condolences may be placed at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Tyler Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Vivian Irene (Aamodt) Rickford was born May 28, 1915 to Charles and Clara Louise Denora (Nelson) Aamodt in Cottonwood, Minnesota. Vivian was baptized June 20, 1915 and confirmed in 1930 at the Silo Lutheran Church of Cottonwood. She attended Cottonwood Public School graduating in 1933. Vivian worked as a bookkeeper for the Cottonwood Coop Oil Company after graduation and on October 3, 1943 she was united in marriage to Glenn K. Erickson. In 1944 Glenn was killed in World War II in Prestwick, Scotland. After Glenn’s death, Vivian moved to Portland, Oregon and worked as a bookkeeper for the Spalding Sports Store. On May 28, 1948 Vivian married Arthur Rickford. They lived and worked in Portland all their married life. After Arthur’s death in 1990, Vivian moved to Tyler, MN in 1991 to be closer to her sister and family. Vivian lived in the Danebod Village until she moved to The Homestead in Lake Benton, MN due to health reasons. Vivian was a member of First English Lutheran Church, Morning Circle, and had been the Treasurer of WELCA. Vivian’s hobbies included knitting, quilting, crocheting, and growing roses. She and Art enjoyed fishing, golfing, and playing bridge.
Vivian is survived by her sister Ardith Sween; nieces: Diane (Wally) Christensen, Lake Benton and Julie (Gary) Steinbeck, Hartley, IA; nephew Michael (Jeanne) Sween, Long Beach, MS; 2 grand-nieces and 5 grand-nephews plus their extended families; step-son Dale (Bonnie) Rickford; step-grandchildren Tim (Michel) Rickford and Kimberly (Tim) Artz, Antioch, CA; and 5 step-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by cousins: Audrey Hostetler, Stanley and Gerald Aamodt, all of Cottonwood, Marilyn Nissen, Moorhead, MN, and other extended family members. She is preceded in death by her husbands Glenn Erickson and Arthur Rickford, parents, and one grand-niece Kelly Wirkus.