Vivian M. Bell

Vivian M. Bell, 89, of Mason City, died Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit. A funeral mass will be at 10:00 AM, Saturday, December 10, 2011, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 302 5th Street S.E., with Rev. Craig E. Steimel officiating. Interment will be at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM, with a scriptural wake service at 6:30 PM, on Friday (December 9, 2011) at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. Memorials may be directed to the Vivian Bell Memorial Fund, in care of the family. Vivian was born March 7, 1922, in rural Burr Oak, IA, the daughter of Hugh J. and Verlie M. (Pierce) Kelly. In 1940, she graduated from St. Joseph’s High School, where she played on the Joettes Basketball Team. In 1940, the Joettes played in the State Tournament. Vivian married Howard K. Bell on July 3, 1944, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. In addition to being a homemaker, Vivian worked at Mercy Hospital as a Nurse’s Aide for 20 years before retiring in 1984. She enjoyed spending time with her family - especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also enjoyed listening to Irish music, gambling, car rides, being outdoors, and watching TV – especially Judge Judy, the news, and college basketball (March Madness). Vivian was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. She is survived by her children: Michael Bell and wife Gloria of Great Falls, MT – and their children: Kelly Dyson and husband Jody, Keith Bell and wife Janet, Mark Bell and wife Valerie; Cheri Abel and husband Denny of Burlington, IA – and their children: Jeff Abel and wife Lisa, Wendy Boche and husband Andy, Tony Abel and wife Paris; Steven Bell and wife Michelle of Rockwell, IA – and their children: Thatcher Bell and wife Cathy, Michaela Oktay and husband Bugra, Coleman Bell and wife Melissa; Vickie Hentges and husband Jim of Mason City – and their children: Allison Antes and husband Mike, Melissa Swyter and husband Ben, Ben Hentges; Julie Smith and husband Dusty of Mt. Pleasant, TX – and their children: Mike Hansen and wife Jennifer, Dan Hansen and wife Jennifer, Brian Hansen and wife Crystal; Kathy Foster and special friend, Mitch Olson, of Mason City – and her daughter: Haley Foster; 16 grandchildren; 41 great grandchildren; and 1 great great grandchild. She is also survived by two brothers: Larry Kelly and wife Jan of Mason City, and Vere Kelly and wife Rose of Mason City. She was preceded in death by her husband Howard in 1986, her parents, 4 brothers: Leland, Robert, Parnell, and Hugh Allen Kelly; and two sisters: Virginia Kelly in infancy, and Dorothy Sprinkle.

Memorials may be directed to the Vivian Bell Memorial Fund, in care of the family.