Vivian D. Hanel

It is with sadness that the family of Vivian D. Hanel announces her passing. She left this world peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016 at the age of 94 at her home in Columbia Falls, surrounded by her family. She was born March 17, 1922, in Wason Flats, Montana, the youngest of nine children.

Vivian and her loving husband Tony were married at Moon Creek Ranch near Miles City in 1940. They had three children, Jerry, Sandy and Peggy. Vivian and Tony lived in many places including Miles City, Tacoma, Washington, Wolf Point, and Salinas, California. They spent their last 25 years together in Columbia Falls.

Vivian was a homemaker, a bookkeeper, worked in retail sales and was a trained beautician.

Her joys included baking, quilting with her husband, entertaining friends and relatives in her home and especially spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Vivian is survived by her children, Sandy Schreiber and her husband Buster of Marana, Arizona, Peggy Whittlesey of Gillette, Wyoming; daughter-in-law Gail Hanel of Billings; grandchildren Scott Hanel, Carrie Schreiber, Wes Schreiber, Eric and Mindy Whittlesey, Angela and Danny Shippy, and Christina Moran; and great-grandchildren Tejal Hanel, Tyler and Hayley Shippy, and Liam Moran.

She is preceded in death by her husband Tony, son Jerry, son-in-law Rick Whittlesey, and grandson Brad Hanel. She was the youngest of nine children who also preceded her in death, Arthur, Astrid, Jennie, Ruth, Tillie, Leonard, Einner and Arnold.

A memorial service for Vivian was held on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, 5150 River Lakes Parkway in Whitefish, with Pastor John Bent officiating.

Memorials may be made to Vivian Hanel Memorial c/o Frontier Hospice, 42 Bruyer Way, Kalispell MT 59901.

Austin Funeral Home is caring for Vivian’s family.