Vivian Mae Stephanie, 84, peacefully went home to be with the Lord on June 6, 2021 at Faith Lutheran Home in Wolf Point, Montana, after a brief illness.
Vivian was born on October 28, 1936 in Poplar, Montana to Oscar and Elizabeth (Habben) Dahlberg. She attended school at the Anderson School north of Brockton, and when the family moved into Poplar, she attended Poplar Public School through the 8th grade.
She married Matt Stephanie on December 10, 1953 in Havre, Montana at the First Lutheran Church. Through this union, they had four children, Marvin, Darrell, Bonnie, and Gay. They also had two more children who they lost at birth, Thomas and Mary. They were married for 35 years before Matt passed away on May 8, 1989.
Vivian was a very hard and trustworthy worker her whole life. She kept busy by cleaning houses and ironing clothes for many families in Poplar and surrounding areas and worked many years on the weekends at the American Legion Club. However, Vivian’s true calling was babysitting children for over 50 years in her tidy house that each kid called their second home.
She began her babysitting career in the late 1960’s, starting with Fred and Violet Sayers’ two boys, Glenn (Pumpkin) and Baby Boo; and Ronnie and Gemma Smith’s three boys, Craig, Doug and Danny Smith. These five boys were the start of thousands of children passing through “Grandma Viv’s” loving door.
Vivian was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Matt; son, Thomas; daughter, Mary; sisters-in-law, Gay Dahlberg and Jan Dahlberg; sisters, Elsie Martin and Doris Bahner; and nephew, Steve Dethman.
Vivian is survived by her sons, Marvin and Darrell, both of Poplar, MT; her daughters, Bonnie (Dennis) Paige, of Poway, CA, and Gay (Brian) Pennington, of Billings, MT; three grandsons, Carl (Michelle) Paulson, of Billings, MT, Rodney (Nicole) Paulson, of Wolf Point, MT; and Matt Paulson, of Poplar, MT; two granddaughters, Nicole (Casey) Cotton, of Poway, CA; and Kristana (Richard) Luther, of Mira Mesa, CA; twelve great-grandkids, Jacob and Zachary Cotton; Brody and Isla Paulson; McKinlee, Iyerlee, Kye, and Kwynn Paulson, Owen and Lottie Paulson; Joseph and Elizabeth Luther.
She is also survived by two brothers, Don Dahlberg and family and Darrell (Josie) Dahlberg, both north of Brockton, MT; nieces, Donna Dethman, Linda Good, Kathy and Andrea Martin, Deanna Dahlberg and family, Darci (Ken) Kjos and girls, Lori (Curry) and Channing Kirn; nephews, Jim (Nannette) and Katlyn Dahlberg, Ricky (Wendy) Dahlberg and girls, and Darren Dahlberg; along with numerous cousins, great-nieces, and great nephews.
Donald Lee Boyd says
Marvin Stephanie And Matt Paulson
Sending My Prayers And Condolences To Your Family In The Days Ahead..
Bob and Terry McAnally says
Our condolences on Vivian’s passing. She was our childcare worker and helped us and many other working parents know our children were safe with her so we could work. She lived a life of service which has been a blessing for so many.
Avis & Maynard Prentice says
Paulson family, My family have countless memories of “Grandma Vivian”, she was the best caregiver and the only caregiver I trusted with my five baby boys! They would always be so happy to see her…they would yell…Hi GRANDA VIVIAN! Prayers for your comfort and strength to get through this time os sorrow!
Mary Lee (Frerich) Smith says
Sending thoughts and prayers to you all — I have many fond memories of Mrs. Stephanie. She was well lived by many!
Traci LeVay-Holt says
Thoughts and prayers are with you all. She was my babysitter when I was a small tike. I enjoyed my time with her until I was able to take care of myself. Rest in piece until we all meet again.
Donovan Claire Derek and Kailey Bridges says
Remembering Vivian as a second mom,Grandma to many kids including Kailey .Kailey loved her very much Time passes so fast . I have very good memories of us ladies going to Ft peck theater on Sunday afternoons doesn’t seem like it was that long ago but it has been a few years! Our thought are with her family in the days ahead.
Cindy Alpert says
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I enjoyed visiting with Vivian at her home or across the street at Sanford and Bertha Paulson’s home. God bless, Cindy
Iva Grainger says
My condolences to the family. Rest in peace Vivian!
Hollie Werner Loftus says
My thoughts are with you and family. She was a great person and babysitter.
Michelle A Trottier says
Condolences to the family. Vivian will be missed in our community.
Milly Eggebrecht says
Marvin, Darrell, Bonnie &
Gay
Our Thoughts and Prayers to Your Family!
She was a beautiful lady inside and out.
Had some good visits with your Mom
May she Rest in Peace!
Doug and Milly
Cissy Eagleman says
Ohhhh Vivian, I know your Journey in life brought you through many families and lives of those that you grew up near, around and of those little ones that you took care of. You’ll never be forgotten Vivian. I have been blessed as were my four children to have been taken care of by you as I did my best to raise them.
Rest easy now Vivian.