MACKSVILLE — Vivian May (Barsell) Zwink, 97, of Macksville, Kan., died April 22, 2020, at Country Living of Larned Memory Care in Larned, Kan. Born May 14, 1922, in Omaha, Neb., she was the second child and only daughter of William and Hazel (Goddard) Barsell. Vivian graduated from Benson High School in Omaha in 1940. During World War II, she joined Bekins moving company, worked in a munitions factory that built bombs, and then attended Manhattan Bible College (MBC) in Manhattan, Kan., graduating in 1948 with a certificate in religions studies. At MBC she met and later married Robert A. Zwink on June 15, 1945. To this union, six children were born, David Robert, Timothy Ashley, Markley Harold, Joel Dean, Debra Fae, and Jonathan Troy.
Vivian with husband Robert provided faithful service to numerous Christian (Disciples of Christ) Churches in Kansas at Wilsey, Burrton, Coldwater, Kensington, Macksville, St. John, and Lewis. Over the years, she typed church bulletins, helped her husband prepare sermons, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and played piano for church services.
Besides church work, Vivian had many other passions. She loved to garden. Her flowers, plants, and vegetables were her pride and joy. She loved food and cooking. One specialty was her family-famous oatmeal raisin cookies. She loved music, especially hymns and gospel music. She sang, played piano, and at times tap danced. She loved Gaither, her beloved cat companion she named for her favorite gospel singing family. She loved children, her own and those of others, teaching them, tending to them, and nurturing them. And she loved caring for others, especially her mother, Hazel, who lived for many years with Vivian’s family.
Vivian was preceded in death by husband Robert (Feb. 6, 2009); parents Hazel and Walter Barsell; brothers Walter S. and William Barsell; and grandson Abdul Mughni Zwink.
Survivors include her six children, David of Scarborough, Ontario, Canada; Timothy and wife Ann of Piedmont, Okla.; Markley of Larned; Joel and wife Patricia of San Diego, Calif.; Debra Susoeff and husband George of Macksville; and Jonathan and wife Janice of Burlingame; grandchildren Nadifa Abdi and husband Abed Ayoub, Ahmed Zwink, Jez Gariepy and wife Sajidah Kutty, Muhammad Zwink, Jason Zwink and wife Tracey, Alexander Zwink and fiancé Daniela Spade, Rhianna Bruno, Tiffany Rohrer, Joseph Bruno and wife Megan, Tatiana Susoeff, Natoshka Susoeff, George R. Susoeff, Yasnaya Susoeff, Rebekah Zwink, Remington Zwink, and Harrison Zwink; 20 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Vivian’s family extends its heartfelt thanks to the staff at Country Living of Larned Memory Care for its special caregiving and to the compassionate team from Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice.
Vivian treasured her long and blessed life but also looked forward to the day she would meet her Heavenly Father and finally reunite with her loving husband, Robert.
Burial will be at the Farmington Cemetery in Macksville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Manhattan Christian College in care of Minnis Chapel, PO Box 34, St. John, KS 67556.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Minnis Chapel
PO Box 34
St. John, KS 67556
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, April 26, 2020
