Vivian Root

Vivian Root, age 89, of Decorah, Iowa, died on Friday, October 30, 2009, at the Aase Haugen Nursing Home in Decorah, Iowa. Friends may call from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2009, at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Deocrah. There will be a rosary at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Vivian Frances (Pritchard) Root was born on June 15, 1920, the daughter of Gordon and Mary (Mullen) Pritchard in Winona, Minnesota. Vivian graduated from Winona High School in 1938 and worked at St. Theresa’s College in Winona. Vivian married Donald Root on January 31, 1942, in Winona, Minnesota and then went on to travel with her husband, while he worked construction in Iowa and Minnesota. In December 1947, they moved to Decorah, where Vivian was a homemaker. She enjoyed taking meticulous care of her home and yard, with her family as her main priority. Vivian was a member of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church. Vivian’s survivors include her husband: Don Root, Decorah, IA. Two sons: Michael (Linda) Root, Decorah, IA and Jeff Root, Naperville, IL. Two grandchildren: Tracy Thorsten, Decorah, IA, and Kelly (Carissa Kotek) Root, Decorah, IA. One great grandson: Ryan Thorsten, Decorah, IA. One sister: Dorothy (Ernie) Sines, Tucson, AZ. One brother: Gordon Pritchard, Ft. Walton Beach, FL, along with many nieces and nephews. Vivian was preceded in death by her parents: Gordon and Mary (Mullen) Pritchard. Three sisters: Ruthmary, Jeanette and Lucille. One brother: Harlan Pritchard.