Vivian Celander

Funeral Service for Vivian Celander, 90, of Baker, MT will be at 11:00 a. m. on Saturday, July 2, 2011 in the Chapel of Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker. Interment will follow in Bonnievale Cemetery at Baker. Visitation will be 2:00 p. m. to 8:00 p. m. on Friday, July 1st, at Stevenson Funeral Home with a Prayer Service at 5:00 p. m. Vivian passed away June 28, 2011 at the Billings Clinic in Billings, MT following a sudden illness. I, Vivian Nellie Collie, was born in Ismay, MT on July 26, 1920 to David and Edna (Marshall) Collie. I grew up on the Collie farm 30 miles South of Ismay on O?Fallon Creek, where my brother, Alex, still lives. Growing up, we herded sheep, milked cows, worked and played hard. We looked forward to softball on Sundays, country dances at the Mireau Dance Hall and Collins Barn, and playing pranks on the neighbor kids. I attended school at the Mackenzie country school, Ismay, Plevna, and graduated from Baker High School in 1940. I played basketball all four years and was considered a top forward on my team. I also coached for a short time. I married Denzil Kreager on June 22, 1940. We had two girls, June and Virginia. Denzil was killed in WWII on the Saarbrucken Line between France and Germany in February of 1945. Seventeen years later, after raising my two girls and working in Smitty?s Bake Shop, I married Edward Celander on April 26, 1962. We had one girl, Karen, and lived SE of Baker 33 miles on our ranch in the Webster community. Many summers were enjoyed at the ranch with the grandchildren raising a garden, bum lambs, raccoons, rabbits and horned toads and enjoyed fishing and riding horses. Through the years, I enjoyed square dancing, sewing, coffee club, bowling, crocheting, watching the kids play sports and tried very hard to not miss a home game, and I have had a great passion for playing cards with family and my friends. I have been a member of 4-H, Royal Neighbors, Women?s Bowling Association. , 4-B?s Square Dance Club and the local RSVP. I have had good years and bad but I still have my 3 girls and I love them all. Vivian was preceded in death by her husbands? Denzil Kreager and Edward Celander, Brother David Collie, Sisters? Mary Mackay and Daisy McNaney, Son-in-laws William Gillison and David O?Neill, Grandson Slade O?Neill and Great grandson T. J. Owens. Survivors include three daughters: June Gillison and Karen Beyers both of Baker and Virginia O?Neill of Billings; one sister, Goldie Sparks of Plevna; one brother, Alex Collie of Ismay; seven grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews.


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Burial Date: July 2, 2011
Funeral Home Baker, MT

Funeral Service: Saturday, Chapel of Stevenson Funeral Home, Baker, MT