Vivian Collette-Secrist

Vivian Collette-Secrist, age 86 of Grafton, ND passed away on Monday, June 1, 2020 at her home in Grafton.

Vivian Grabanski was born October 1, 1933 in Grafton, ND the daughter of the late Anton and Frances (Slominski) Grabanski. She attended rural school in Acton Township. Following her education she worked for the Herberger family in Grand Forks. Vivian was united in marriage to Merlyn Collette on September 3, 1951 in Warsaw, ND. The couple lived and farmed in the Grafton area until moving to Grafton in 1991. Vivian was a devoted farm wife and worked alongside Merlyn on the farm and raising their four children. They enjoyed wintering in Arizona for 40 years. Merlyn passed away on March 13, 2007. Vivian married Ken Secrist on June 29, 2013 in Grafton, ND. The couple spent the winters in Arizona and summers in Grafton.

Vivian was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church and Altar Society in Warsaw and the Grafton American Legion Auxiliary.

She is survived by her husband, Ken Secrist, Mesa, AZ; her children: Sheryl Lessard, Chandler, AZ; Avis (Wayne) Lessard, Grafton, ND; Corrine (Wayne) Antonson, Farmington, NM and Dale (Brenda) Collette, Grafton, ND; nine grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and siblings: Merlyn (Delores) Grabanski, Grafton, ND and Audrey (Duane) Paschke, Oslo, MN. Several nieces and nephews also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Merlyn, brother, Earl Grabanski and sisters, Evelyn Feltman and Alice Sevigny.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, June 5, 2020 at 10:30 AM at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church of Warsaw, ND. Visitation will be from 9-10 at the church Friday morning. Interment will be at the St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery. Social distancing guidelines will be followed and masks are encouraged.

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