Vivian was born in Melville on August 29, 1935 to Ralph and Anna (nee Bloomquist) Carlson. She
attended Central School where she did well in her studies. She completed grade eleven, obtained
a Commercial Diploma and then worked as a secretary with Sun Oil in Regina. In 1956, Vivian
married Gordon "Chip" Erhardt. She became a stay-at-home-mother with the birth of Crystal on
February 16, 1957, Gordon Jr. on July 29, 1964, followed by Reuben on February 6, 1970. Vivian
oversaw an active household where her children were busy in a variety of activities. Eventually,
Vivian returned to the workforce where she was a secretary with the City of Melville, and then with
the Melville School Division. In 1991, Vivian and Chip became owners of a Grandma Lee's
Restaurant in Penticton which they operated for four years.

Vivian was a natural artist. She experimented in most media, but oil painting remained her favourite. Her home was decorated with paintings, sculptures, pottery, and other art forms she created. She was an accomplished painter, and her art was viewed by foreign dignitaries and the Queen herself. For years, she designed costumes for the figure skating club. Eventually, she started a small enterprise selling crafts. She loved her cabin on Crooked Lake. The Qu'Appelle Valley was her favourite place to be. She enjoyed being on the water and would spend hours beachcombing, looking for fossils, arrowheads and interesting stones. Vivian especially cherished her seven grandchildren. She remained active in their lives watching countless hockey and baseball games, birthday parties, music recitals, and skating competitions.

Vivian was predeceased by her parents Ralph and Anna, and her step-father Donald Ross. She leaves to mourn her husband Chip; daughter Crystal (Randy) and their children, Catlin and Addison; son Gordon (Laurel) and sons, Andrew and Sean; and son Reuben (Rhonda) and their children Kalen, Carson, and Elisa.