Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND001 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 272253
Title: Vivian A. Kalmik
Date: 6/23/1955-7/25/2026
Inscription/Marks: 6/23/1955
Summary: Vivian Anne Kalmik, 71, passed away peacefully on July 25, 2026, in her mother’s home in Williston, surrounded by her family. Her funeral was held August 3, 2026, with burial in Riverview Cemetery in Williston. Vivian was born on June 23, 1955, to Richard and Verna (Yohemas) Nicks in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She was a quiet and shy little girl who loved to help her grandma and family run the Salisbury Store until they moved to North Dakota when she was a 9th grader in 1969. As a new student at WHS, she loved to be involved with as much as she could. Her servant heart led her once again to the “Big Sister” program which paired high school students with younger kids with disabilities. She also volunteered as a Candy Striper and later a CNA at Bethel Lutheran Home until she graduated high school in 1973. After high school she graduated from the University of North Dakota-Williston and from Minot State University with a bachelor's degree in special education. She was what you call a lifelong learner and continued to study, research and learn new things all the time. She then moved back to Williston and was married to Robbie in 1977 and had two daughters, Samantha and Allayna. She had many jobs over the course of her life including a teacher and foster parent to those with disabilities, the Director of UMARC for almost 50 years and working at the CVB for over 30 years! Her faith in the Lord was the foundation of everything she did, which led her to volunteer countless hours and support for her community. She was a devoted community leader with a servant's heart; she dedicated her life to making a difference in the lives of others.  Whether she was organizing events, lending a helping hand, or simply offering encouragement, she believed that every act of kindness mattered. Her greatest joy was being involved in her children's lives. She treasured every opportunity to fundraise and travel across the country and around the world with Sam and Allayna, creating unforgettable memories and cheering them on in every adventure. She was also deeply committed to the organizations and events that brought families together, including Kids Church activities, Youth Education on Stage, the Chokecherry Festival, Relay For Life, the James Memorial Art Center & Art Fest, the Miss North Dakota Little Sister Program, Thursday Musical and the list goes on. Her enthusiasm, leadership, and generous spirit left a lasting impact on each of these communities. Above all else, her greatest pride and joy were her five beloved grandchildren: Kat, Emy, Linkin, Aisy, and Tor Tor. Being their grandma was the role she cherished most. She loved creating adventures, taking them on trips near and far, and filling their lives with love, laughter, and unforgettable experiences. She never missed a game, dance recital, choir concert, school performance, awards ceremony, graduation, or milestone. She was their biggest fan, their loudest cheerleader, and a constant source of unconditional love. Her energy, warmth, and zest for life shined brightest whenever she was surrounded by her grandchildren, and the memories she created with them will be treasured forever. Vivian is survived by her mother, Verna Nicks; daughters and son-in-law, Samantha Kalmik and Allayna (Brenden) Stevens of Williston; 5 grandchildren, Katarina (Blaise Mahar) and Emylinn Canerdy and Linkin, Aislynn and Taurin Stevens; brother, Wayne (Dorothy) Nicks of Williston and his children, Michelle (Paul) Locken of Williston, and Caitlin Nicks of Bismarck; sister, Donna Nicks of Iowa and her children, Naomi Luckey-Bothe of Iowa, Richard (Jen) Bothe of Williston, Joseph Luckey-Bothe of Oregon and Will (Kate Zanobini) Bothe of California; great-nieces and nephews, Bryn, Wyatt and (Eylie Streifel), Sailyr, Mackenzie, Victor, Aksel, Osro, Boedy and Royal! And her steady and faithful friend, Bob Erickson. She was preceded in death by her father, Richard Nicks; and friends, Maro, Tim and Duane; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Red ID: FND_I_79745 Image ID: 596688 Image Notes: FND001 272253

Collection: FND001 Digitized Images from Collection
Title: SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Date: -

Summary: The North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program is sponsored by the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association. The life stories of deceased North Dakotans are featured in an archvied collection. Current partners in the project are Eastgate Funeral & Cremation Services, Bismarck Evans Funeral Homes, Carrington and New Rockford Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home, Williston Fulkerson Funeral Home, Tioga Fulkerson Funeral Home, Watford City Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Williston Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck Springan Stevenson Funeral Home, Stanley Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson These funeral homes provide recent obituaries to the Foundation, where staff and volunteers format, edit and archive each memorial. The memorials are posted, and copies are sent to the family for their input and approval. The listing currently features more than 13,000 memorials, and is constantly updated as new memorials and histories are received.

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