Dorothy Viken

Dorothy Viken

NEWELL - (Jesse) Dorothy Viken, 94, of Newell, S.D., died Thursday, March 1, 2012, at the Belle Fourche Regional Senior Care.

She was born June 4, 1917, in Philip, S.D., to William and May (Deburn) Buchholz, on the ranch 10 miles north of Philip. Following several stillborn births, Dorothy was the first child of live birth. Having visions of a son, William chose Jesse for his newborn daughter. However in 1917, most did not favor a daughter with a boy's name, especially with "Jesse James" the outlaw in the news. Thus they chose to use her middle name Dorothy as her well-known handle. After making a success of starting their family, the couple added three more siblings, two boys and another daughter.

Dorothy attended Philip School, and following graduation she married Kenneth Viken of Philip, previously of Newell. Kenneth was living with his brother-in-law, Lester and Inga (Viken) Robbins while being employed in the area.

Kenneth and Dorothy moved from the Philip area to make their home at the Nickolaus Viken homestead of Newell. The passing of Kenneth's father created a real hardship on his mother, so she sold the farm to Kenneth and Dorothy. This home life saw Kenneth and Dorothy with a son, Russell, following the birth of two more daughters, Jeanne and Roxanne.

Dorothy was an avid gardener, raising produce and canning for the family. She was very good with small as well as large farm animals, raising orphan lambs, milking cows, raising laying hens and fryers, which were enjoyed along with her homemade bread.

She was a member of the Neighborhood Pollyanna Extension Club. This was an opportunity to sew garments for the family as well as for herself.

Dorothy was not one to complain, she took life as it was dealt her and made the best of it in all situations. She was well learned in the farming industry. She lived on the family homestead even after Kenneth had passed away. She rented the farm to her youngest daughter, Roxanne, and son-in-law, Nathan Neilan. As work began to keep all too involved, Dorothy sold the homestead and moved with her son, Russell, to the town of Nisland where she purchased a home and lived until her son passed away. At this time, she moved in with her daughter and son-in-law at Newell. She remained there until her health demanded more intimate care, so she decided it was time to move into the Belle Fourche Regional Senior Care. This was close to her farm family, which gave her the chance to stay in touch with the community through her daughter and son-in-law. Dorothy enjoyed the visits of her family members as well as any of her neighbors who occasionally stopped by.

Having fought the battle of cancer and diabetes and won, she felt much could be learned by her donating her body to science. Therefore, her body has been donated to the University of South Dakota Medical School at Vermillion.

Survivors include her daughters, Jeanne (Bill) Glessner of Sheridan, Wyo., and Roxanne (Nathan) Neilan of Newell; seven grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and May Buchholz; siblings, Paul, Kenneth and Cora Ellen Buchholz; husband, Kenneth Viken; son, Russell Viken; grandson, Randy Carlson, and son-in-law, Felix Silvernagel.

A memorial Tribute will be held at a later date with Brad Abelseth officiating. An online guest book is available at www.klinefuneralchapel.com.