Constance "Connie" Vanvig

Constance “Connie” Vanvig, 86, passed away in Bismarck on Thursday, July 14, 2016. Services will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, July 22, at Faith Lutheran Church, Bismarck. Burial will take place at a later date. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Connie was born October 24, 1929, to Herman and Adelaide Lunde in Minot, ND. She attended Fessenden and Grand Forks Schools. She graduated from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN in 1950 with a degree in English and received a master’s degree from the University of Denver in 1960 in psychiatric social work. After teaching junior high school English for two years in Minnesota, she was recruited by the California District ELCA to serve as a parish worker helping to establish new congregations in fast-growing communities in California, Arizona, Hawaii, and later in North Dakota. Following her master’s study she worked in Denver for ten years as a psychiatric social worker. She married Andrew Vanvig, who was head of the department of agricultural economics at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, on June 26, 1970. Andrew and Connie also operated a 1900 acre grain farm near Andrew’s home town of Beach in western North Dakota where Connie played a major role in managing farm operations. In every gathering, Connie’s vivacious laugh lit up the room. She took a genuine interest in the lives of friends and family and thrived on these social interactions. She was an inspiring person with a positive attitude. Connie especially treasured time at the lake in their family’s Minnesota cabin and spending winters in Fountain Hills, Arizona. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Bismarck, ND. Connie is survived by her beloved brother, John (Joyce) Lunde; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and her long-time friends, Mira Frederick and Betty Borgman. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Andrew; parents; her brother, Rolf Lunde;sister, Louise Anderson; lifelong best friend, Adeline Groven; and her three loving yellow labs, King I, King II and King III. The family is grateful for the care of pastoral staff and nurses. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kabekona Lake Foundation, Sanford Hospice Bismarck, or a charity of your choice.