Vivian E. Gaspar

Vivian Gaspar was born January 7, 1930 to Matt and Maria Emelia (Maunumaki) Koski at home at their farm east of New York Mills, Minnesota. Vivian’s given name was Mayme Vivian Koski. She survived her five siblings Arnold, William, Wilbert, Mildred and Clarence Koski. Maria Emelia passed away in 1934 when Vivian was 4 1/2 years old. Vivian went to live with her mother's younger sister and her husband - Hulda (Maunumaki) and Harry Erickson in Keewatin Minnesota. She was later adopted and her name changed to Vivian May Erickson.

Vivian graduated from R. L. Downing High School in Keewatin and went on to graduate from Miss Wood’s School at Macalester College in St. Paul Minnesota. After graduation she became a Kindergarten teacher in Cloquet Minnesota where she met William (Fred) Gaspar a mining engineer working on the Iron Range. The couple were married in Keewatin on June 25, 1955.

The couple moved to Virginia Minnesota where their three children: James, Thomas and Jon were born. The young family moved from Virginia to Toronto Ontario then Kirkland Lake Ontario then back to Virginia in 1965. In 1975 Fred was transferred to Pittsburgh and they bought a house in Bethel Park where they lived for the rest of their lives. Fred passed away in 2010 a few months after they celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary.

Vivian was a baker who was always busy during the Holidays baking cookies and fruitcakes to share with family and friends. She enjoyed arts and crafts and collecting. She loved spending time with her grandkids who were very important to her. She will be missed by family, friends, and neighbors.

Vivian died peacefully in her sleep at home as she had wished under the care of hospice on November 29. Vivian is survived by her three children: James, Thomas and Jon; four grandchildren: Blake, Grant, Eric and & Brandon and one great-grandson Hudson. May she rest in peace.  Arrangements handled privately by the David J. Henney Funeral Home, Library, PA. www.davidhenneyfuneralhome.com 

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