Vivian Therese Bristol

Vivian Therese Bristol

September 15, 1966 - October 09, 2025

Obituary

LIVESTREAM SERVICE:

Vivian's Livestream Service will begin at 11:30 a.m. CT on Thursday, October 16, 2025. Scroll down to the Webcast section and click on “Watch Now.”


MCFARLAND - Vivian Bristol was born in Evergreen Park, Ill., on September 15, 1966, to Joseph and Mary Einoder and passed away on October 9, 2025, in McFarland, Wis.


Vivian graduated from Morgan Park High School in 1984. She spent her career as a caretaker in many forms, doing daycare and working in a nursing home. She worked at Dean/SSM Health for 20 years in medical administration, helping people receive disability benefits. She retired in 2024. She was well-suited to her work as an incredibly compassionate and caring person.
 

In addition to her kind-hearted nature, she was also warm, helpful, funny, passionate about justice, protective (especially of her daughters!), and active. Her love was truly limitless and a blessing to anyone who received it.


Her family was the most important thing in her life. She and her late husband, Bill, were married in 1986. They raised three wonderful children, Billy, Matthew, and Tessa, together until his passing in 2006. She later united in marriage with Ron Bristol and gained two loving step-daughters, Hannah and Hayley. She was also the proud godmother of her niece, Paige. Her favorite times were getting her large family together for birthdays, holidays, and Friday pool days with her grandchildren. When her children were sick, she was there for them no matter how old they got.
 

Vivian was a great hockey mom who never missed her boys’ games, except when she and Tessa stopped at home to warm up and watch Lifetime movies together. She was an avid reader, especially enjoying her favorite author, Mitch Albom. She and her husband, Ron, loved to garden and travel together, visiting interesting locales from London to the Caribbean to Door County. She also loved animals, especially her dogs Jack, Trixie, and Charlie, as well as her Moosey with whom she loved to share their morning “bagel time.”


She will be remembered as a devoted mother, a loving wife, a thoughtful sister, a fond aunt, and an adoring grandmother. She is survived by her husband, Ron Bristol; children, William Roach III (Staci Smithback), Matthew Roach, and Tessa Roach; her step-daughters, Hannah Bristol (Andrew Bocher), and Hayley Bristol; her grandchildren, Isabella Roach, Natalee Roach, William Roach IV, Jaxon Anderson, and Anders Martingilio; her siblings, Joseph K. (Nancy) Einoder, Sheila (Andrew) Kingston, and Jude (Pamela) Einoder; her step-mother, Camille Einoder; and her many beloved nieces and nephews.


She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Roach; her parents, Joseph and Mary Einoder; and her brother, Timothy J. Einoder.
 

A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 16, 2025, with the Rev. Scott Marrese-Wheeler presiding. Family and friends who wish to view the service via LIVESTREAM may visit Vivian’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com at the time of the service and click on “Watch Now” in the Webcast section. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday.


In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Dane County Humane Society, Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS) and Carbone Cancer Center.


“Love is how you stay alive, even after you are gone.” -Mitch Albom


Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420



Events

16
Visitation
Thu Oct 16, 2025 @ 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CDT
Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
16
Livestream
Thu Oct 16, 2025 @ 11:29 AM - 12:16 PM CDT
Livestream • WI
16
Funeral Service
Thu Oct 16, 2025 @ 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM CDT
Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
16
Luncheon After Service
Thu Oct 16, 2025 @ 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM CDT
Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
No photos of Vivian have been shared yet.
AB
A Memorial Tree was planted for Vivian Therese Bristol
Other •
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Gunderson Funeral Home - Madison
VH
Vicki Hayne
Other •
My deepest condolences to Vivian's family. My heart goes out to you in this time of sorrow. You are all in my thoughts.
YF
Your Ascher Brothers' Family
Other •
We are so sorry for your loss - we are thinking of you all during this difficult time.
FJ
Flor Janky
Other •
Sheila, we are thinking of you and your family during this difficult time. Sending prayers and condolences. Flor and Dave
PS
Pam Schramer
Other •
She was such a sweetheart. We shared several vacation adventures with her. Vivian talked lovingly about her kids and grandkids, always caring. Jim n I have enjoyed our time with her and will miss her greatly. ❤️🌸
NE
Nancy & Joe Einoder
Other •
To the Bristol Family, Joe and I are very sorry for your loss. May God give you comfort, peace and strength during this difficult time. May you always cherish the memories you have of your wife, mom and grandmother. Love Joe, Nancy, Joey & Nicole

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