Vivian Gloria Genevieve Gabrielson

Vivian was born at home to her parents; Valentine G. Riffer and Bella (Farncombe) in Wingard Sask, Canada on July 29, 1927. She passed away on July 2, 2025 at Rangely Long Term Care in Rangely, Colorado. She would have been 98 on July 29th.

She and her husband, Charles W Gabrielson were married on April 6, 1946 in Saskatoon Sask, Canada. They lived and worked in Saskatoon until moving home to Rosthern to purchase property to farm. This is where their daughter, Arlene was born. They remained there until they came to Kansas in the United Sates joining Charlie’s family there. They became employed in the oilfield. After numerous moves they settled in Artesia, Colorado in July 1959. Charlie and Vivian had many business ventures; including a motel, liquor store and Continental Trailways and bus freight line. Vivian ran her businesses alongside her husband, Charlie until he passed and then on her own for a total of 45 years.

Vivian was a Lutheran and strongly supported her church-Trinity Lutheran in Rangely until membership was transferred to Our Savior in Vernal, Utah. She was instrumental in supporting the building of the new church in Rangely.

Vivian was active in town government for many years and volunteered in many different community projects and at the Colorado Welcome Center in Dinosaur. Vivian was a wonderful cook who fed anybody and everybody who entered her house. She was also known for her cookies. One time she made 122 dozen cookies for her friends and family. Even sending boxes to her grandsons that were in the military overseas.

Her and Charlie loved to play bridge. In their later years when they were not able find a foursome they would play a rummy game called 65. They would include many people in the games of 65. To speed games up they would even drop the use of coins. Vivian was very competitive.

Vivian retired at the age of 82. Some of her best times were spending winter months in Arizona with her daughter, Arlene where her family and friends from Canada would come to visit. Her greatest love besides her Charlie, were her grandsons and then her great grandchildren who followed.

Vivian was proceeded in death by her husband, Charles W. Gabrielson, her parents and her seven brothers and sisters. She is survived by her daughter Arlene Powell (Cork) and grandsons Corky Powell (Niki)- CO, Les Powell (Molly)- NC, Damon Powell (Jannilyn) -CO, Madisen Powell Copeland (Dan) -NC, Kaden C. Powell- NC, Reagan J. Powell -GA, Rex C. Powell -NC, Braxton L Powell- CO as well as numerous extended Powell family members and one sister in-law, Alice Klein Akins (Al) British Columbia, Canada and numerous nieces and nephews in Sask, Alberta and BC, Canada.

The family would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Morewood and all the staff in the long-term care at Rangely District Hospital for the excellent care that our mother/grandmother received in the two years that she was a resident there. A private burial will take place at Vista Del Sol family cemetery.

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