April 17, 1921 – May 8, 2019
Vivian Strom Nordeen was born in Pennock, Minnesota on April 17, 1921, the fifth of seven children born to Ellen Youngquest Strom and Rev. Carl Gustav Strom. An early Covenant pastor, her father served several churches in the Midwest before the family’s final move to Hilmar, California. After graduating from Hilmar High School, Pee Dee followed her brothers and sister to Chicago, graduating from North Park College in 1941. It was at North Park that she became known as Pee Dee, short for Preacher’s Daughter, a nickname she proudly carried for the rest of her life.
Pee Dee first met the man she would marry, Frank Nordeen, as a small child. Her father and Frank’s father, Axel, were pastors of Covenant churches in neighboring communities and would often get together as families. The young families, however, moved and grew up in different parts of the country. They met again when Pee Dee’s brother Ken was married. Ken and Frank had been roommates at North Park and both Pee Dee and Frank were in the wedding party. That reacquaintance later blossomed into romance. Frank and Pee Dee were married by her father in 1953 at Hilmar Covenant Church.
Pee Dee and Frank lived in many different places during their 48-year marriage and were members of several Covenant churches. As a result, Pee Dee had friends all over the country. Throughout her life she enjoyed traveling; first, family camping vacations and road trips across the country and through Mexico, and later with trips to Europe and a few road trips with her sister and sister-in-law.
Pee Dee and Frank had three children, Linda Oliphant (Brent), Eric “Rick” Nordeen, and Jane Westerfield (David) and four grandchildren, Diana Oliphant, Janie Oliphant, Peter Westerfield and Sarah Westerfield. Pee Dee was preceded in death by her husband Frank, her son Rick, as well as her brothers Milton, Wilber, Ken, Eldon and Marvin Strom, and sister Arline Mord.
Pee Dee died peacefully in her apartment at Covenant Shores, Mercer Island, Washington, on May 8th with family around her. She will be remembered as a wonderful mother and grandmother, a person of constant faith, love and cheerfulness, and a great sense of humor.
A memorial service was held at Covenant Shores, a private service of internment was held in Hilmar, California.
Memorial gifts may be given to Hilmar Covenant Church or Covenant Living of Turlock Benevolent Care Fund.
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