Victor Arne Vikan

1925 - 2016

Victor Arne Vikan Victor Arne Vikan, 91, of Lacey, WA passed away suddenly on February 1, 2016 while gardening in his back yard. Victor was born to parents, Albert and Ida (Gunderson) Vikan on January 10, 1925 in Bottineau, ND. He lived in North Dakota with his large Norwegian family until 1945 when he enlisted into the Army for WWII. During the war he worked as a radio operator in Tokyo, Japan under General MacArthur during the U.S. occupation, advancing to T-5. He was discharged from Fort Lewis in 1947. While working for Pacific Northwest Bell in Tacoma as a Repeaterman, he met a switch board operator named Shirley Jean Johnson (1927-2001). They were married May 16, 1950. Together they had three children: Randy, Judy, and Nadine and lived in Tacoma for the next fifty years. Victor had many hobbies including fishing, hiking, camping, hunting, rock collecting, bird watching, photography, and most of all traveling. He loved to tell stories and could spin fascinating tales that entertained and enthralled children of many generations. He had a love of nature and an unrivaled green thumb, often providing friends and family with buckets of fruits and vegetables he grew in his yard. In the last 25 years he had been a devoted volunteer for Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, and siblings, Ina (Harold) Oelschlager, Kenneth (Betty) Vikan, Phyllis (Arne) Nelson, Harry (Herdes) Vikan, Harlan Vikan, and Audrey (Robert) Woods. He is survived by sister, Norma (Marlin) Nordmark; children, Randy (Mary Lou) Vikan, Judy (Chris) Pruitt, and Nadine (Donald) Trippel; grandchildren, Stephanie Trippel, Christy (Eric) Skeens, Emily Pruitt, Vanessa Trippel, and Robert Trippel; great grandchildren, Jeremiah and Amelia Skeens; and many loved nieces and nephews. A private service will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Friends of Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. He will be remembered for his bear hugs, wonderful story-telling abilities, adventurous spirit, and his love of family.