Vivian Quinnell

Vivian Carol (Pelot) Quinnell, Wisconsin Rapids, WI went peacefully to be with her Lord on Friday, October 23, 2026. The daughter of Carl and Florence (Jepsen) Pelot, she was born October 28, 1938 in Fond du Lac, WI. She married Virgil Quinnell in Wisconsin Rapids in 1956.
As a mason, Carl helped build places of worship all over the United States so the family was seldom in one place for long. Living in a travel trailer, she and her brother Dave, attended schools in California, Arizona and Wisconsin. She graduated from Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids in 1956.
As a member of Calvary Baptist Church, the youth were encouraged to write to service men in the Korean War. Vivian started corresponding with Virgil while he was stationed in Germany when she was 14 and he was 21. When he returned home from the service, they dated and got married on July 28, 1956. They made their home in the Town of Siegel and raised four children.
Vivian was a stay-at-home mom for many years and worked hard canning, baking, knitting/crocheting and sewing. She was also very active in the church as the Sunday School director and teacher, a leader in Awana’s, a member of Ladies Missionary Circle, singing at nursing homes, in the choir and for church services. She later worked at Wilburn’s Hotel, and then at Riverview Hospital as a dietitian/medical clerk for more than 20 years.
She was passionate about traveling, whether it was in the motorhome Virgil built or taking each daughter on multiple trips, both in and out of the United States. She frequently talked about the memories made while traveling and lamented the inability to travel in her later years.
Vivian was a loving christian mother to Penny (Clarence) Peterson, Douglas (Penny Jo) Quinnell, Peggy (David) Heise and Pat (Rob) Perkovich. She loved being a grandmother to Eric Peterson, Douglas (Aubrey) Peterson, Seth (Deanna) Peterson, Nicole (Josh) Koon, Ashley (Wade) Prelesnik, Courtney (Tyler) Huss, and Tyler (Quinn) Perkovich, and a great-grandmother to Canaan, Selah, Laurel, Jude Peterson; Virgil, Leland, Penny Peterson; Avylon Techlin; Lincoln, Maverick Huss; and Francesca Perkovich. She was a bonus grandmother to Issac (Sabrina), Caleb and Noah Koon and a bonus great-grandmother to Lily Koon. She is further survived by her son in law Clarence (Emily) Peterson, sisters in law, Virginia Pélot and Ruth Quinnell and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She mourned the passing of her husband of 56 years, Virgil; her eldest daughter, Penny; her parents, Carl and Florence Pelot; her brother, David Pelot; father and mother-in-law, Roy and Agnes Quinnell; brothers in law, Royal, Robert and Lewellyn; and sister-in-law, Gloria.
Family and friends are invited to join us at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home, 2201 Chestnut St, Wisconsin Rapids, WI on Thursday, October 29, 2026 as we remember Vivian from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. followed by a short service at 6:00. She will be laid to rest the following morning in a private graveside service.