Vivian Ironheart

Vivian Jean Ironheart (Tatehdihawin ~ Returns with the Wind) was born on September 23, 1949 in Granite Falls, Minnesota, the daughter of Herbert and Bessie Ironheart. She was the youngest of ten children. Vivian was baptized in the Episcopal faith, and later practiced traditional Dakota ways. She grew up in the Granite Falls area, attended Granite Falls schools and graduated from Granite Falls High School in June of 1967. Later that month, she married Byron Housman in Willmar, Minnesota. They had two children, Matthew and Lisa. They later divorced and she then continued her education at Southwest State University. She worked in the Granite Falls school system before moving to Minneapolis where she worked as a teacher for special needs children at Madison School for approximately thirteen years. She was also the first manager of the smoke and gift shop at Firefly Creek Casino for three years. She held various jobs within the community and was employed by Prairie's Edge at the time of her death. Vivian was a traditional dancer and had attended pow-wows most of her life. She believed in passing on the traditional way of life to the younger generations including talking in area schools, Pioneer Village and other communities about Dakota history. She enjoyed going to rodeos, beadwork, reading, traveling, and she especially loved spending time with her grandson Cameron, going places and doing things together. Vivian died unexpectedly at the Granite Falls Hospital on Saturday, December 22nd. She was 58 years old. She is survived by her son, Matthew Housman of Granite Falls; daughter Lisa (and Dave) Stennes of Montevideo; grandson Cameron Stennes of Montevideo; sisters: Irene (and Donald) Howell, Lillian Ironheart-Smith, and Marlys Ironheart all of Granite Falls; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, three brothers, three nephews, and one niece.