Vercel "V.J." Wik

WEBSTER- Vercel “V.J.” Wik, 78 of Webster, died on Monday, September 08, 2008 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. His funeral will be at 2:00 P.M. Friday, September 12, 2008 at Tabor Lutheran Church near Webster, Rev. James Rasmussen officiating. Burial with military rites will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be at Fiksdal Funeral Service (fiksdalfuneral.com) on Thursday 5-8 P.M. and prior to services on Friday. Vercel Johnson “V.J.” Wik was born on Friday, May 30, 1930 to Olaf and Florence (Johnson) Wik at the home of his maternal grandparents Charles and Hannah Johnson. He was baptized and confirmed at Tabor Free Lutheran Church near Webster, South Dakota. He attended country grade school in Lynn Township through eighth grade. After his education, V.J. worked on the family farm until he enlisted in the US Army in February of 1953. He was stationed in Germany. In December of 1954 he was honorably discharged and returned to the family farm where he continued to farm and raise cattle. In 1966 he married Beatrice Benninga. The couple made their home in Webster. V.J. continued farming and raising cattle on the family farm with the help of family, friends, and neighbors until his passing. He was a member of Tabor Free Lutheran Church. He enjoyed traveling, hunting, fishing, tending to his cattle and spending time with his grandchildren. Vercel passed away at Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 78 years, 3 months, and 9 days. Survivors include: one adopted daughter; Connie (Gary) Sauer of Webster, SD, three step-daughters; Diane (Donnie) Bloom, of Webster, SD, Gloria Nilson of Brookings, SD, and Phyllis (Marv) Strom of Brookings, SD, two grandsons; Andy and Jake Sauer of Webster, SD, seven step-grandchildren seven step-great grandchildren, two sisters; Adeline (Sherman) McCarlson of Webster, SD and Shirley (Laverne) Storley of Eden, SD. He was preceded in death by his parents.