Marie Kees

Marie “Vivian” Kees, 90, passed away peacefully on November 5, 2015 at MorningStar in Billings, Montana. She was born June 29, 1925 to Orel and Ernestine Berry, in Red Lake Falls, Minnesota. Vivian attended elementary school at Perault Station, a one room school house just south of Red Lake Falls, Minnesota. As a kid, she enjoyed working outside with her dad, operating the tractor and feeding the livestock. She graduated from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, in 1942. On November 29, 1944, Vivian was united in marriage to Jerold K. Rude (Bud) in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. They were married for over forty years, living in East Grand Forks, MN, Denver, and back to EGF. Vivian was a member of Sacred Heart Parish for over 60 years and all 6 of her children attended Sacred Heart School. Vivian worked as a teacher's assistant and a librarian's assistant at Sacred Heart in East Grand Forks. Vivian enjoyed going to the family cabin at Cass Lake, Minnesota. She loved fishing, entertaining, and BBQ's with everyone who came to the cabin over the years. She loved traveling, both here in the states and in Europe. She visited religious locations on five different tours to Europe with the Association of the Miraculous Medal. Mom was an artist at her job of homemaking. She would plant a large garden every year and canned most of her harvest. With six children, she would cook and bake constantly, including buns and cinnamon rolls and a host of holiday treats for the freezer. Her annual lefse baking was a treat for all. After Jerold's death, Vivian was married 15 years to Vernon Kees of Thief River Falls. Vivian was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jerold Rude; husband Vernon Kees; son Richard Rude; granddaughter, Jodi Raymond; sister Orella Berry Mischel; brothers Ernest and Norman Berry. Vivian is survived by her daughters Sheryl Rude Mesrour, Joan Rude Raymond Gone, Virginia Rude (Gary) Haberstroh; her sons R. Joseph (Kathy) Rude, and Robert (Cori) Rude; fifteen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 9 with the Vigil Service at 6:30 p.m. at Dahl Funeral Home in East Grand Forks. Funeral Mass will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at Sacred Heart. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Sacred Heart Church and School.