Vicki L. Engen

A beautiful, compassionate and courageous mother, wife and sister finished her long and strong battle with cancer early Monday morning on May 19, 2008, at Billings Clinic. Our beloved Vicki is finally cancer-free and at home with our Heavenly Father. Having been diagnosed over three years ago with stage-four lung cancer, Vicki remained unfazed by this tragic news and immediately decided to plunge wholeheartedly and without reservation into clinical trials and the latest methods of treatment. She accomplished this with great dignity and grace, along with her unwavering faith in God, tenacious spirit and zest for life. Vicki's total commitment, involving her plans for treatment, was simply inspiring. She never had any doubts or misgivings concerning her decision to continue her cancer treatments, no matter how frightening or demanding they became.
Vicki's legacy, spirit and faith in God will forever live on in all of us.
When Vicki's body finally grew tired and unable to rebound as she had many times before, she joyously lifted up into the Lord's kingdom and reunited with her loved ones who went on before her. Vicki is dancing, singing and smiling with our Heavenly Father forevermore. The family she left behind will continue to carry on with the same spirit and faith that she always had.
Vicki was very passionate about Relay for Life and was a very loyal and eager participant each year. She and her team were known as "Vicki's Faithful."
We would like to give a HUGE thank you to Dr. Purcell, Diane Jones, the Oncology nurses and team on the third floor and the ICU team for always helping to keep hope alive in our hearts. There are no words to express how grateful we are to God for placing Vicki in your hands to help keep her safe and to ensure that she was receiving the best level of care that anyone could ask for. We will never forget what you all did for her and our family during this journey, and know that you all have left a mark on our hearts forever.
Our brave Vicki was born on June 12, 1950, the third and youngest daughter of Francis and Mary Smith of Billings. She attended Billings schools and studied for two years at Eastern Montana College. She was active in several plays and musicals while attending EMC. She also enjoyed many years of ballet, jazz and tap dancing.
Vicki married her lifelong soul mate, Roger Engen, on Sept. 4, 1971, in Billings. They were truly blessed with two wonderful children, Holli and T.J.
Vicki spent 23 years as an office accounts receivable manager with American Medical Oxygen; she was forced to retire due to her cancer diagnosis in January of 2005.
Vicki is survived by husband Roger; daughter Holli (Dustin); son T.J. (Sara); sister Barbara Andrews (Pat), Darlene Keene (Bill); nieces Julie Ussin (Jim), Tammy Hernandez (Bruce), Andi Kay Andrews; and nephew Doug Keene (Dory); and many others she held close to her heart, including Don and Sally Holman, Kathy Tomich and Bob and Karla Reynolds.
Her furry angels, Oliver, Sophie, Maxwell, Patches and Oreo, who helped to heal all of her hurts each day while she was at home, also survive Vicki.
Preceding Vicki in death were in her parents, father and mother-in-law, grandparents and a nephew.
Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 31, at Shiloh United Methodist Church, 1810 Shiloh Road, with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please honor Vicki's wishes in considering donations in Vicki's memory to the American Cancer Society.
Private family interment of cremains will take place at a later date at Mountview Cemetery.

This obituary was originally published in the Billings Gazette.