Vivian Sylvia Forsman, 92, of Detroit Lakes, MN, formerly of Roseglen and Garrison, ND, passed away peacefully into eternal life Sunday morning, October 15, 2017 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 2:00 pm at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garrison. Burial will be at the Garrison City Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from Noon until the time of services at the church.
Vivian was born to the late Walfrid and Carrie (Rudi) Johnson on September 2, 1925 at their farm homestead near Plaza, ND. The daughter of Norwegian and Swedish immigrants, Vivian grew up on the farm with her parents and 3 older brothers who preceded her in death: Victor Johnson, Clarence Johnson, and Arthur Johnson. Vivian attended Wright School for 8 years, then attended Plaza High School where she graduated in 1943. She also attended Business College in Minot for 1 year. As a young girl Vivian loved spelling and arithmetic and enjoyed playing kitten ball. She was kept busy doing chores inside and out at her parents' farm.
Vivian met the love or her life, Arthur F. Forsman at a church service. Their first date was at her 19th birthday party. They were engaged in 1947 and were married on November 17, 1949 at Lucky Mound Church of Parshall. Their first home was near the John Forsman homestead just north of Roseglen, ND. They lived there for 45 years, where she helped Art on the farm. They moved to Garrison, ND in 1994. In late 2011 Art and Vivian moved to a nursing care facility in Detroit Lakes, MN. Art and Vivian had two daughters, Karen (Cape) and Kathy (Eberle). After complications from pneumonia following a stroke, Art passed away in February 2012.
While on the farm, Vivian kept a beautiful garden, and canned large amounts of fruits, vegetables, and pickles. She was known for her baking skills, especially her homemade buns, cookies and lefse. Over the years she was an active member of the Roseglen Homemakers Club, Sunday School Superintendent, Ladies Aid leader, and was especially dedicated to her confirmation class that she taught for many years at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Roseglen. After moving, Vivian became a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garrison. But by far, anyone who knew her would say her greatest joy came from her children and grandchildren. Art and Vivian travelled as much as possible to see their daughters and their families in Detroit Lakes, MN and Green Bay, WI.
Vivian is survived by her daughter Karen (Frank) Cape of Green Bay, WI; daughter Kathryn (Ronald) Eberle of Detroit Lakes, MN; grandchildren Ashleigh Gilson, Erin (Jeremy) Luttschwager, Timothy (Mandy) Cape, Daniel (Christa) Cape , and Kristen (Humberto) Trejos all of Green Bay, WI; Sherman Eberle, Little Falls, MN; and Alice Eberle, Detroit Lakes, MN. Her great- grandchildren are Madelyn Gilson, Lucy Gilson, Elijah Luttschwager, and Humberto Trejos, all of Green Bay, WI.
The family would like to thank the staff for the loving care they provided at Sunnyside Care Center, Lake Park, MN, and Ecumen Center in Detroit Lakes, MN.