Funeral Service for Vivian Isabelle Flute, 88, of Rural Peever, South Dakota will be held on Monday, January 4, 2010 at Eagles Wing Baptist Church, Agency Village, SD with Pastor Jerome Renville officiating. Organist will be Billy Kohl. Pallbearers will be Randy Jordan, Joey Jackson, John Jordan, David Running Hawk, Tom Flute, Francis Crawford, Tim LaBatte and Alan Shepherd. Honorary Pallbearers will be Linda Obago, Debbie Flute, Tonya Jackson, Sylvanna Flute, Hildreth Rodlund, and All Vivian's Family and Friends. Interment will be in the spring at the Family site in Rural Peever, SD. There will be an all night wake on Sunday, January 3, 2010 at Eagles Wing Baptist Church, Agency Village, SD at 7:00 P.M. Vivian was born on October 28, 1921, the daughter of Joseph and Isabel (Elizabeth) (Cundra) Flute. She attended school at Stephan, Wahpeton and Flandreau. She was married to Cyrus Big Talk in 1947. They made their home on Cyrus' land which now houses the Dakota Connection Truck Stop/Bingo/Casino. There she raised chickens, planted a garden and helped farm with Cyrus until his death in 1949.
Vivian moved to the rural Peever area to care for Anthony Blue Cloud at his home site. There she planted a garden, raised chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys. She entered her canning products into the Tribal Fair and received many blue ribbons for her products. She would sell her eggs and chickens for income. Throughout the years living in this three room house she cared for 18 children at different times and received no help from the welfare system. These children now adults know who they are.
Vivian started her working career as a "riveter" during the WPA days for the Boeing Airplane Company. Upon returning home she was a seasonal employee with Landsbergers. She also was a hired housekeeper for her neighbors in the rural Peever and Wilmot areas. There she would clean their houses, help sometimes in the farm yard by driving tractors for them when needed and also taking them to various medical appointments. She was a people person who could get along well with everyone. In 1980 she received her GED from the Sisseton-Wahpeton Community College. She then became the regional supervisor for the Green Thumb program. Her duty station was in Milbank. However, she made visits to Aberdeen, Bowdle and Ellendale, ND to check on her green thumb employees. Due to poor health Vivian retired at age 62.
Vivian enjoyed playing bingo. She liked to attend Pow Wows and was a jingle dress dancer and later went to traditional dancing. If you were to say what hobbies Vivian had, you could say raising chickens and gardening. She was not an inside person and liked to be outdoors. Vivian entered the Spirit World on Saturday, January 2, 2010 at her home.
Vivian is survived by her adopted son Damion Flute and Sophronia Crawford. Nieces Carol Jordan and family (Randy and John), Margaret Bourelle and family (Kenny, David Running Hawk, Murry and Jerold Bourelle), nephews Jerry Flute and family (wife Wendy, sons Tom, David, Josh and daughter Debbie Flute), Francis Crawford and family, and many other relatives and friends.
Vivian was preceded in death by her husband Cyrus; parents Joseph and Isabel Flute; Brother Vincent Flute; Sisters Pansy Crawford and Caroline Big Talk.