Victoria Viollet Vidmar

Victoria Viollet Vidmar "Vic", age 94, passed away peacefully Saturday, October 14, 2023, in Bozeman, MT.  She was at home in her favorite chair surrounded by her three boys, Greg, Jeff, and Bruce. She was granted her final wish of dying in her own home from the Lord above. Vic was a member of the Catholic Church, and this led to a belief in Jesus as her Lord and Savior. Vic never quit being a mom her whole life; always putting others' needs ahead of her own. She was a true inspiration living by herself, after her husband died over four years ago, being almost blind due to macular degeneration.  She very rarely complained or wanted sympathy. Vic's humor, kind soul, loving mentality, and genuine interest in the ones she loved made her the most special lady. Her kindness touched more people than we know. We are proud to have had her as a mom.  

Victoria was born November 26, 1928, in Mundare, Alberta Canada. She was the second of five sisters. Vic's life in rural Alberta was anything but glamorous. Living on the prairie she had to walk to school. In the winter, she and her sisters would ice skate the irrigation canals to and from school. In 1946, the family moved to Vancouver, British Columbia. Vic graduated from King Edward High School in 1948. Vic worked for the Vancouver Brewery as a switchboard operator where she learned the "gift of gab."

Vic had an adventurous spirit and in 1955 she left for Hawaii traveling alone aboard the Orsova Liner. She lived in Hawaii for two years working at the pineapple factory as a shift foreman.  

She returned to Richmond, BC in 1957 where she worked as a receptionist. She answered an ad from the railway company needing workers in their new lodge in Sun Valley, ID. She hitched a ride with two local skiing friends, and she arrived in Sun Valley in the winter of 1958. She worked at the Chateau drugstore and met Ernest Hemingway while he tried on a pair of long johns. She enjoyed the social life, skiing and the outdoors. According to Vic "those were the best years of my life."  

In 1959, she met the love of her life Bernard Vidmar "Bud" whom she married on her birthday, November 26, 1960, in Richmond, BC. Vic's mom and sisters sewed all the bridesmaids' dresses. Bud and Vic remained in Sun Valley, ID and lived in the A-frame house Bud built. Their first son Greg was born in 1962 and their second son Jeff was born in 1964. The family moved to Reno, NV in 1966 and then to Carson City where their third son Bruce was born in 1967. In the early 1970s, the family moved to Vancouver, Canada following a business opportunity and to be closer to Vic's family. It was then Bud had major heart surgery and Vic was faced with the possibility of raising three young sons on her own. By the grace of God and her strong will to keep the family together, Bud recovered, and the family moved back to the states; first to Elko, NV and then Carson City, NV. Vic soon fell into place doing what she did best, being a mom and loving wife. When asked what her job was she would reply, "Chief cook and bottle washer!" She filled her spare time playing tennis, golf, and bridge. She attended the boys school functions and sporting events and took them hunting and fishing before they could drive. When the boys became teenagers, Vic became one of their best friends and they started calling her "Vic." She continued being active in the Catholic Faith and taught religious education classes with Bud. She was also a ski instructor with the local ski program.

Bud and Vic moved to Bozeman, MT in 1992 to be closer to their sons. They spent time outdoors fishing, skiing, and playing golf. They traveled around the state to visit many places of interest along with trips and cruises including Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Bali, Austria, and Italy.

Vic took time to sketch and paint the beauty Montana has to offer. In 1996, while traveling to Arizona they found a place in Mesa. Bud and Vic spent summers in Montana and then headed south for the winter until 2015. This allowed Vic to play golf all year. Vic hit a hole-in-one, an accomplishment of which she was quite proud. Mom loved the dessert scenery and flowers and became quite a painter, even winning some awards.

Vic liked going for walks and enjoyed seeing the beautiful flowers. She enjoyed swimming and visiting with friends. Vic was also active with the CAP mentor program in Bozeman Public Schools and Montana Association for the blind.

We thank you Vic for blessing our lives and being a wonderful mother and friend. Vic is survived by her two sisters, Sue Bengston and Joan Marr; her three sons, Gregory (Shannon) Vidmar and daughters Molly and Hailey of Bozeman, MT, Jeffrey Vidmar of Challis, ID, Bruce (Jennifer) Vidmar and daughters Jessica and Rebekah of Belgrade, MT. Vic is also survived by nephews and nieces, Ricky Bengston, Danny, Ricky and Jimmy Marr, Craig and Gary Thorn, Chris, David and Patrick Lundy, Debbie and Lynn Bengston, and Lisa Lundy (Novak).

Vic is preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Jessie (Mochnach) Kleparchuk; sisters, Marge Thorn and Minnet Lundy; and niece, Kathy Marks.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 2PM on Friday, November 10, 2023, at Resurrection University Catholic Parish.

In lieu of flowers, please contact Greg Vidmar, vidmarconstruction@littleappletech.com, for the Victoria Vidman Art Scholarship Fund at Bozeman High School.