Vivian Knighton

Vivian Hazel Cayton Knighton, 102, of Twin Falls, passed away peacefully September 26, 2011, at Stoney Creek Living Center, in Twin Falls Idaho. Vivian was born on July 14, 1909 in Tyrone, Oklahoma. She was the third of four daughters born to James Garfield and Minnie Etta (Polmanteer) Cayton. When Vivian was five months old the family moved to southeastern Colorado in a covered wagon. Her father homesteaded 320 acres there and built a home where the girls grew up. Vivian's first eight years of school were spent in a one-room school house with all eight grades in one room. She attended high school in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She married her cowboy, Roy Knighton, on February 3, 1929 in Springfield, Co. Their first home was on a ranch near Springfield where they had a small cattle operation. Their first three children were born in Colorado. But between the depression and the drought they were forced out of the cattle business. In 1935 they decided to follow some of their family and friends to Idaho. They settled in the Hazelton area where Roy worked as a farm laborer and farmed a small acreage. Their next three children were born in Idaho. In 1946 they moved to Murtaugh, where Roy opened a blacksmith shop and Vivian briefly worked in the school lunch program, raised six children, and helped Roy run the family business. Roy died in 1973. Following Roy's death, Vivian traveled extensively with her good friends Betty Barkes and Pauline Daniels. They toured all 50 states, Mexico and Canada. In 1979 Vivian sold her home in Murtaugh and moved to Twin Falls to be closer to some of her children. In 2000 she moved to Bridgeview Estates Independent Living Center. She enjoyed her time at Bridgeview very much. While there, she made many new friends, and reacquainted with many old friends. In 2007 she moved to Stoney Creek Living Center where she resided until her death. Vivian's life always centered around her family. The family has had a special celebration in honor of her birthday every year since she turned 75. Most of her direct descendants have attended every year. It is an event that has drawn the family closer together and will continue for years to come. While raising her family Vivian worked hard to care for them. She always had a big garden and canned everything they didn't eat. She made most of their clothes, especially for the girls. Later, after her family was grown and had left home, she continued to knit, crochet, quilt, and make all kinds of craft projects. Vivian always had a project going, she was always content and never bored. She touched many, many lives during her lifetime in her own quiet way and with her subtle sense of humor. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her. Vivian is survived by her six children, Orville (Darlene) Knighton of Twin Falls; Freida (Joe) Young, of Twin Falls; Bernadean (Bill) Daniels of Boise; Bernard (Kay) Knighton of Twin Falls; Barbara (Blair) Hall of Twin Falls, and Deloris Durk of Hillsboro, Oregon; 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, three sisters, one grandson, Clayton Knighton and a son-in-law, Kenneth Durk. The family wishes to thank the entire staff at Stoney Creek and Guardian Home Care for their excellent and loving care of Vivian, especially in her final days. A celebration of Vivian's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 3, at Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Rd., Twin Falls, Idaho, with burial immediately following at Sunset Memorial Park. Friends may call from 5 until 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, at Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com