Jan Van Vickle

Jan Marvin Van Vickle, 78, of Walker, Minn., passed away Monday, June 12, 2023, at his home in Walker with his loving family by his side.

Jan was born Monday, Aug. 14, 1944, in Walker, the son of Marvin and Erma (Blackburn) Van Vickle. He grew up in Walker and graduated from high school in 1962. From there he spread his wings and took on many different titles throughout his life. Jan was the projectionist at the local drive-in and the State Theatre in Walker. He later delivered home heating oil and was an over-the-road fuel delivery man for Orton's. Jan worked for Willard Arends as a milk man and bartended for the local Muni. He also helped with the city's odds and ends.

It was during his time working for Jim Leek out of Laporte - both running the NAPA store and trucking - that Jan and wife Sandi took interest in the NAPA store. The two purchased and ran the store for over 32 years until Jan's retirement in 2007.

As we all know, Jan couldn't just stop moving for retirement. Anyone who went on vacations or fishing trips with Jan knew that the only relaxation they were going to get was when they returned home for work. He had to be around the public because he loved giving people a hard time, so he took part-time work at Hoss Liquor to keep his people skills honed.

Jan was a dedicated member of the Walker Fire Department, serving for 37 years - 20 of those years as chief. He was a founding member of the Walker Ambulance Service and served for many years. Jan believed in making his community better, so he was involved at Moondance for 20 years and served on the Shingobee Township Board, among the many ways he gave back.

Jan worked hard at every task he faced, but the most important was taking care of his family.

You could always find him taking time for his family, especially his grandchildren who were the highlight of his life. Sundays were a special day for Jan knowing that he would be around family. As hard as he worked, he also played just as hard. Jan loved woodworking, carving, attempting to get lost in the woods, hunting, fishing and fishing some more. He started a fishing tradition in the '80s of traveling to Savant Lake in Canada and tried to make it every year for a relaxing get away.

Jan was the modern day McGyver who could fix anything or accomplish what he set his mind to. He wasn't afraid to try anything. Jan was not only a great-grandfather, but he was also a great father who had a lot of true friends. His presence will truly be missed by not only his family, but the people he touched in his lifetime.

The family that Jan joins again are his parents, Marvin and Erma; brother, James Van Vickle; and brother in-law, Donald Erickson.

Those he leaves behind to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 59 years, Sandi of Walker; son, Brian (Lisa) Van Vickle of Walker; daughters, Donna (Kevin) McCarthy of Willmar, Shelly (Roger) Hopkins of Watford City, N.D.; sisters, Valerie "Tiny" Erickson of Buckeye, Ariz., and Nancy Van Vickle of Alma, Wis.; grandchildren Kyle, Jeremy, Chelsea, Brady, Samantha, Marissa, Maria, Michael and Tori; 12 great-grandchildren; and other relatives and many friends.

To celebrate Jan's life, please go fishing! A private family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Walker Fire Department, P.O. Box 1387, Walker, MN, 56484

Online condolences for the family may be given at www.northernpeace.com

Jan's care has been entrusted to the Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, Minn.