Vivian "Bucky" Smith, 100, of Devils Lake, ND and formerly of Leeds, ND passed away Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at Eventide Heartland Care Center in Devils Lake, ND. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:00 PM Friday, June 16, 2023 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church with Fr. Daniel Musgrave celebrating. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will take place at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Cemetery in Leeds. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Benson County 4H Program: P.O. Box 205 Minnewaukan, ND 58351 or the St. Vincent de Paul Cemetery Tree Fund: 5125 49 ^th Avenue NE York, ND 58386.

Vivian was born November 13, 1922 to Richard J. and Matie Belle (Rice) Buckingham on the family farm in Calvin, ND. She was raised and educated in Calvin, graduating from Calvin High School in 1940. Vivian then moved to Minot, ND for one year, where she lived and worked for a family to earn enough money for nursing school. She then furthered her education in 1941, attending Mercy Hospital School of Nursing. Vivian was very proud that five of her granddaughters followed in her footsteps and became Registered Nurses.

Vivian was united in marriage to Robert Gerald Smith on December 26, 1944 in California. She worked as a nurse in California until Robert was deployed in 1945. Vivian then returned home to Leeds and resided with Robert's parents. Robert was honorably discharged from the military and Vivian dedicated her time at home to raise their growing family: Karen, Stephanie Lee, Lynn, Steve, Scott, Tom, Kevin and Mary.

Vivian returned to the workforce, working as a nurse and also at a pharmacy for time. She finished her nursing career as Director of Nursing before retiring. Vivian would spend her time traveling with Robert for his career and entertaining all of his hunting clients. She enjoyed cooking and baking her family's favorite foods, including fresh baked bread and buns, pies and cookies. Vivian was actively involved with the Leeds American Legion Auxiliary and St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Leeds. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Vivian is survived by her children, Karen (Ned) Mitzel of Devils Lake, ND, Lynn (Richard) Magney of Spokane, WA, Kevin (Val) Smith of Devils Lake, ND, Mary (David) Engstrom of Woodland, WA; daughter-in-law, Marie Smith; son-in-law, Jerry Kersten; grandchildren, Ryan, Susan, Sarah, Jonathan, Keri, Beau, Tadd, Tyson, Allison, Shawn, Michelle, Christopher, Nathan, Lisa, Amanda, Ashley, Kimberly and Shane; numerous great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; sister, Matie Kraut; sisters-in-law, Sara Buckingham and Ida Mae Buckingham.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert G. Smith; children, Stephanie Lee Kersten, Steve Smith, Scott Smith and Tom Smith; parents, Richard and Matie Buckingham; siblings, Violet Anderson, Ken Buckingham, Wallace Buckingham, Vince Buckingham, Dorothy Hall, Darwin Buckingham and Lorna McCabe.