Vivian Jensen Coulter died January 12th in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the age of 88.
She is survived by her children, Dr. Catherine Coulter and husband Robert J. Bootzin of Jemez Springs, NM, James Coulter of Placitas, NM, Dr. Cynthia Coulter and husband Dr. John Crawford of Omaha, NE, Dr. Joe Dan Coulter and wife Virginia Stratton of Iowa City, Iowa, and Robert (Tim) Coulter and wife Samantha Sanchez of Helena, MT; by grandchildren Odessa Robinson, Jessica Stewart, Danielle S. Coulter, Dan Coulter and wife Nicole, and Gavin Coulter; as well as by great grandchildren, Autumn and Devan Coulter.
She was born Vivian Vilda Jensen on her parents' Circle Star ranch near Farmingdale, South Dakota, September 29, 1917. She was the tenth of eleven children born to Bessie Washburn Jensen and Nels Jensen, who was born in Denmark.
Her life growing up on the Circle Star, between the Badlands and the Black Hills, is described in part in her memoir The Circle Star: My Spin, 1988. She helped the family raise turkeys, cattle, and sheep as well as various crops. After attending rural schools, she attended Spearfish (SD) Normal School (now Blackhills State University) where she received her Teacher's Certificate. There she was selected Swarm Queen (homecoming) and pursued her interest in drama and theater. Still in her twenties, she taught in one- and two-room schools in the mining town of Rockerville, SD and in Caputa, east of Rapid City. In South Dakota, she was an acquaintance of some of the colorful figures of the Black Hills, such as poet Badger Clark and prospector Potato Creek Johnny.
Soon she traveled to Norman, Oklahoma to earn her Bachelors' Degree at the University of Oklahoma, where her uncle, George L. Cross, had recently joined the faculty and would soon become president. She received her degree in 1942, and in the same year married Joseph E. Coulter, with whom she would raise her family of five children. (Joseph Coulter died in 1995.)
After living for a time in Texas and South Dakota during WW II, they settled in Norman, Oklahoma, where she raised her family and in time resumed teaching elementary school. She worked in the Norman schools for some 25 years. In 1971, she earned a Masters Degree in Education at the University of Oklahoma. At the same time, she lectured in science education at the University. She co-authored a ground-breaking series of text books for elementary school science with her colleague and friend Dr. Jack Renner of the University of Oklahoma, and Dr. Don Stafford.
In 2001, she moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico to be near some of her children and grandchildren. As recently as 2004, she co-authored Winging It: A Beginner's Guide to Birds of the Southwest (University of New Mexico Press, 2004) with her children Catherine Coulter, James Coulter, and Cynthia Coulter.
A memorial service will be held at Strong-Thorne Mortuary, 1100 Coal Avenue, Albuquerque, at 6:30 p.m. Sunday January 15. Services are under the care and direction of: Strong-Thorne Mortuary 1100 Coal Ave. SE. 505-842-8800.
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