Vivian Irene Sparks Hunter

Vivian Irene Sparks Hunter 80 of Rupert passed away Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at her home.

Vivian was born July 16, 1935, in Buffalo Wilson, Kansas. She was the second of five children born to Leroy Edward and Celith "Billie" Lathrom Sparks. When she was 18 months of age, her family came west - during DUST BOWL days. Her parents, brother Bob, grandparents, uncles and one aunt were crowded into the old car. The car kept breaking down as the traveled to the Northwest. The last time the car broke down; they were near the town of Rupert, Idaho so that is where they stayed. She lived in Kansas, Idaho, Georgia, New York, Arizona, Colorado and Maine.

December 17, 1955 she married Royal Lee Hunter. (Son of John Thomas and Sarah Esther Miller Hunter of Acequia, Idaho). They were later "Sealed" as a family in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Vivian attended Rupert High School graduating in 1953 during this time she worked at Murphy Steak House. After High School she worked as a secretary at King's general office in Burley, Idaho. In 1954 she moved to Salt Lake City and worked as a secretary at Walker Bank & Trust. After sending four sons to college, Vivian decided to "try it". She went back to school/college as a grandmother with white hair! After putting three grandchildren to bed, she would spread her school books on the kitchen table. It took her about six years taking classes at night to complete and she received her Associate's Degree in accounting in 1995. Her family is quick to point out that she was wearing a yellow tassel around her neck. Vivian became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints when she was a "young teenager" in Rupert, Idaho January of 1948. She was an active member and served in many capacities: Sunday school secretary, Sunday school teacher, counselor/teacher in Relief Society, counselor/teacher in Primary, Greeter, Nursery Leader and many more callings. Over the years she was a Cub Scout leader for six years. Another "calling" was to write the Rupert 5th ward LDS missionaries every month for ten years! From reports the missionaries enjoyed the "monthly bulky newsletter" from their home ward. She and her husband Lee enjoyed designing, making personalized birthday cards on the computer for Rupert 5th Ward members for seven years. She served with her husband at the Logan LDS Temple from 1998-2002. (They had to take a "sick leave" because Lee was diagnosed with Cancer and had to take chemo and radiation treatments). In 2003, he was in "recovery", they returned to serve another three years at the Logan Temple.

Vivian enjoyed attending/assisting with Water Aerobic classes for five mornings a week at the Racquetball Club in Burley, Idaho for nine years. Vivian enjoyed teaching her daughter-in-laws the "homemaking skills", how to make/tie quilts, how to freeze garden veggies, and make jams and jellies. Vivian took cake decorating classes, in order to graduate she had to make and decorate a wedding cake. Her family enjoyed her talent. She enjoyed doing ceramics, giving them away to family and friends. She also took painting classes. She painted a large special picture for each of her sons and Lee.

Vivian is survived by her husband Royal Lee Hunter of 60 years and her four sons Samuel (Mary) Hunter of Mahomet, IL; Gary (Mary Kay) Hunter of Overland Park, KS; Theodore "Ted" (Jan) Hunter of Oklahoma City, OK; and Edward (Crystal) Hunter of Centerville, UT; and Troy (Kandi) Robertson, South Jordan, UT. All loved 22 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. Three brothers Robert "Bob" (Inez) Sparks, Ogden, UT; Richard "Dick" (Donna Kay) Sparks, Midland, TX; and John (Virginia) Sparks, Filer, ID. She is preceded in death by her parents Leroy Edward Sparks and Celith "Billie" Lathrom Sparks, and one brother, Jack Willie Sparks.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at the Rupert LDS Stake Center 324 E 18th Street with Bishop Lane Mackay officiating. Viewing for family and friends will be held Tuesday, December 1, 2015 from 6-8:00 p.m. at the mortuary and for one hour prior to the services at the church. Services will conclude with burial at the Rupert Cemetery under the direction of Hansen Mortuary.

Funeral Service Date of Service: Dec. 2, 2015