Mrs. Viva Dean Nida has been reunited with her husband in God’s heavenly kingdom. She passed from this world on November 2, 2020 at the Perry Green Valley Nursing Home where she has resided for the last Three years. She was born in Success Arkansas RFD on February 9, 1937 the daughter of James E. Flanigan and his wife Lucile Keelin Flanigan. Viva was raised and educated in Arkansas, graduating from Pollard High School in 1950. On October 5, 1954 she married the love of her life, Kenneth Nida. They were blessed with 66 years together. She was blessed to be a stay-at-home mother for many years.
She then worked as an administrator for Morr Water Inc. for a few short years but her true passion was the Cherokee Strip Museum. Nida helped improve and preserve the museum and its precious possessions. Genealogy research was a big part of her life and time for her family. She lovingly gave her time to the museum for many years. She enjoyed traveling with family and friends. The couple would often take vacations and together they went on many hunting trips as well. She was a gifted woman. She could sew like a professional seamstress and crochet. She quilted, loved puzzles, and grew a beautiful lush garden. Nida loved to watch birds and watch her grandkids play.
There never was a woman who loved her grandkids more than Vida Dean. She would hold them and rock them while she gently read her favorite books aloud to them Including, “The Little Engine That Could”, and “The Little Red Hen”. Her heart was full of love and her lap was full of grandbabies. As she grew older the grandbabies gave her great grandbabies. Her heart was full.
She was preceded in death by her parents James and Lucille, her husband Kenneth, brothers Joe Flanigan, Lloyd Flanigan, James “Buddy” Flanigan and baby brother Flanigan, and lastly sister Imogene Koch.
She leaves behind to cherish her memory her daughter Trina McVicker and her husband Jim of Perry, daughter Barbara Branson and her husband John of Waukomis, daughter Betty Hansard and her husband Mark of Tulsa, grandchildren: Jenifer, Kenny, Rebecca, Daryl Ann, Cloyd, Melissa, Amanda, and Bryce, 10 great grandchildren, brother Larry Flanigan and his wife Sharon, brother Lavern Flanigan and is wife Ann, brother-in-law Clarance Koch, including numerous nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Nida was laid to rest by her husband’s side at the Covington cemetery under the direction of Brown Dugger Funeral Home.
Donations in her name may be made to the Cherokee Strip Museum at 2617 W Fir, Perry, OK 73077 or Companion Hospice at 1314 E Oklahoma, Guthrie, OK 73044.
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