Vivian G. Fields

Vivian Genevieve Fields was born on June 18, 1924 to Orpha and Amede Patnoude in Grafton, North Dakota. She was the youngest of five children, but also had two younger half sisters after her mother's remarriage. Vivian passed away on April 17, 2025, just two months shy of her 101st birthday. She lived in Vancouver, WA at the time of her passing. She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles "Whitey" Fields, her son, Steven and all of her siblings: Arthur, Olive, Rita, Clarabelle, Luella, and Joanne. She is survived by two daughters, Karen Goldsby and Charlene Sletten and their spouses, six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Vivian worked as an elevator operator in Fargo, ND in her younger years. She told us that the job helped her overcome her shy nature. She also worked at a soda fountain, where a mutual friend introduced her to Whitey. It must have been love at first sight, because after courting for three weeks, the couple married in Vancouver, WA on November 13, 1944. They lived in Vanport until the flood of 1948, when they moved to Vancouver. They were married for 62 years before Whitey's passing in 2002. Vivian enjoyed being a homemaker, a mother, and eventually, a grandmother, and she did her job exceedingly well! She was rarely seen without a smile on her face, and she had fun teasing her grandchildren in the most fun-loving way. She loved bowling, watching I Love Lucy, Jeopardy, and the Price is Right. She hosted the most festive Christmas Eve parties. She and Whitey would spend hours playing pinochle with friends or family (very noisily, according to Karen). Together, they enjoyed camping, attending their grandchildren's sports events and plays, coffee with a large group of fellow retired friends, and just dropping in to say hello at various homes of loved ones. Vivian walked every day up to three miles until she was well past 70 years old. She and Whitey were long-time members of Peace Lutheran Church in Vancouver, where they made many friends over the years. Vivian will be laid to rest on Tuesday, April 29th at 10:30 AM at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Vancouver, Garden of the Resurrection. Family and close friends are invited. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer's Association in Vivian's memory would be appreciated by her loved ones. https://www.alz.org/?form=FUNDHYMMBXU Please email laura.uriarte17@gmail.com for information and to RSVP for Vivian's Celebration of Life.

Vivian G. Fields

June 18, 1924 - April 17, 2025