Vivienne "Viv" Sunder

Vivienne “Viv” Sunder, of Jordan, Minnesota passed away peacefully on November 12, 2024 at the age of 95. 

A “Bohemian” Visitation will be held on Friday, November 22, 2024 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (104 First Street West) in Jordan. Mass of Christian Burial is Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 11:00 AM with visitation from 10:00 – 10:45 AM at St. Michael Catholic Church (16400 Duluth Ave. SE) in Prior Lake. Father Tom Walker will preside, and Viv’s grandchildren will act as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Bernice Hoffman, Kristen Charette, Mary (Sunder) Feltman, Barb (Undesser) Wolner, Lois Lambrecht, Sharon Simon and Gloria Stevenson. Viv will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband Rollie and son Mark at Calvary Cemetery in Jordan.

On April 24, 1929, Vivienne Charlene Bauer was born to parents Charles & Albina (Prokes) Bauer. Viv grew up in Montgomery, mostly as an only child since her older brother Harvey was already out of the house. Later as adults, Viv and Harvey became close siblings and talked on the phone nearly every day. When Viv was just 13 years old, her mother died and her aunt Lena Stopa moved to Montgomery to help raise her. Viv grew up quickly and became a very strong, independent woman. She placed great importance on family and was often the glue that held everyone together.

After High School, Viv attended Miss Wood’s Teachers School. Viv was very proud of her education and absolutely loved her work. Her first job was in St. James, and she had many wonderful colleagues who quickly became lifelong friends. Although Viv put her career on hold to start a family, after the kids were grown she went back to her teaching roots and earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Mankato State. She then taught in Jordan and surrounding school districts and also tutored family members. Next, Viv moved on to Rosemont Engineering for 20+ years. She welded circuit boards and enjoyed training new employees. She also spent many years at ADC Corporation before officially retiring. Viv was a hard worker, but the best part of her job was the social aspect. She always made dear friends along the way. 

As a young woman, Viv met a handsome young man at a local bar in Jordan. His name was Rollie Sunder. Viv and Rollie fell in love and exchanged wedding vows on September 1,1949. They settled in Jordan and lived above Sunder’s Store, and when their family grew they bought their home on the Mill Pond. She was extremely proud of her Bohemian heritage which was always apparent in her cooking and baking! Viv was known for her bean vomacka soup, pickled relish, sweet mustard and red beets. She also enjoyed her beautiful flower gardens and loved watching the ducks and birds on the Mill Pond from her kitchen window.

Viv cultivated strong friendships, sincerely cared about those in her life, and appreciated spending time with extended family, friends and neighbors. The family liked taking Rollie’s boat out on Lake Minnetonka, and Viv always brought a full meal for everyone to enjoy. She also loved to travel, go shopping, and spend time with her girlfriends and never missed a chance to dress up. The most meaningful trip of Viv’s life was when she visited the Czech Republic and met relatives who still lived in her mother’s birth home.

In spite of her busy schedule, Viv was generous with her time and talents. She volunteered by making desserts for the church youth group, crocheting prayer shawls, scheduling the prayer line for St. John’s, participating in perpetual adoration, providing food for funeral luncheons, and completed year-long devotionals. She was also a Cub Scout Leader, was active in the DFL party and the VFW Auxiliary, and delivered Meals on Wheels into her 90’s. 

Viv led a beautiful life, but there were also many challenges along the way. Losing her son Mark was the hardest thing she ever faced, but her strong faith and love of family helped her through it. Viv was a caring and fearless woman who was a champion for the underdog and led her life with an open heart and arms for those who struggled. 

She now lives on in the hearts of her family. Viv is survived by her children, Gregg (Lora) Sunder, Maureen (Pat) Lynch, Kate (Paul) Parparian, Charlie (Mary) Sunder; grandchildren, Joseph (Kate), John Erik (Inés), Jennifer (John), Chris, Jack, Nick (Amanda), Tony, Jake (Holly); great-grandchildren, Miles, Nina, Gwyneth Vivienne, Elena and Raleigh; brother-in-law, Paul Sunder; other loving relatives and many dear friends.

Viv was greeted in Heaven by her husband of 61 years, Roland "Rollie" Sunder; son, Mark Sunder; parents, Charles & Albina Bauer, Lena Stopa; brother, Harvey (Maxine) Davis; brothers-in-law, Len (Josephine) Sunder and Lee (Gert) Sunder; sister-in-law, Betty Sunder.