Viola V. Harriman

Viola (Vi) Veronica Harriman, age 94, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota passed away on Tuesday, February 11, 2024, at the Sanford USD Medical Center, due to natural causes.

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to Feeding South Dakota. 

Vi was born on 1 June 1930 to Daniel James and Louise Mary (Paulsen) Gribbon in Redwood Falls, Minnesota.   Vi and her husband Leland (Lee) Matthew Roth moved to Sioux Falls in 1948 to raise their four children, Lynn (Roger) Hilmoe, Michael (Renee) Roth, Sandy (Reinhard) Clausen and Julie (Trish Rose) Roth.   In 1968, Vi married Theodore "Ted" George Harriman. They spent 47 years together camping, traveling, sailing and golfing.  They were active members of The First Christian Church.

She had a vibrant career in the retail industry (Fantle’s, Akers and Dayton’s) where she was widely known for her expertise in fashion and design.  Many may remember her as the owner of Sioux Falls’ upscale candy and tea store, “The Sugar Shack” in 1970’s.   Though rarely one to relax, she loved to read, political biographies and memoirs were a favorite, snuggled up to a tiny furry companion.  Vi was always a full-time working mom who instilled in her children the benefits of ingenuity and a positive work ethic.  Although she worked hard, her pursuit of fun and sense of whimsy made her a delight to both children and adults.  Proud of her ancestry she embodied the Irish culture of hospitality as conspiratorially she would say, “Let’s all have a beer, and you can tell me a story”.

Vi was predeceased by both husbands as well as her beloved daughter Lynn.  She is survived by her remaining children as well as cherished grandchildren, Nicholas (Dawn) Clausen, Elisa (Shannon) Kimball, Heather (Andy) Benhardus, Michelle (Colby) Sellers, Derek (Kim) Roth and great-grandchildren Tycho, Daphne and Paige Clausen, and Myles and Kamden Benhardus.