Lillian Wickman

Lillian Wickman Lillian Wickman went home to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at age 96 on October 31, 2004. She was born in Rockford, IL on January 10, 1908 to Swedish immigrants Alma and Ernest Johnson. In 1920 the family moved to Upsala, MN and in 1922, relocated to Minneapolis. Lillian graduated from Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis and for several years worked in the accounting department of a mail order house. The family was very active in the Covenant Church in Minneapolis, and it was there she met Virgil Wickman. They were married in November 1937 and moved near the church that Virgil was serving as minister in Columbia Heights, MN. For the next forty years they served six Covenant churches across the country, returning to Tacoma in 1978 for retirement. They settled at the Tacoma Lutheran Home. Until age 93, Lillian regularly attended the First Covenant Church of Tacoma. In a letter written by Virgil shortly before his death, he paid tribute to Lillian, saying, "I don't know what would have happened to the three of you kids if it hadn't been for the good humor and common sense of your mother." She was a woman of deep faith and strength. Her life was full as a stay-at-home mom, singing in the church choirs, serving on a variety of church committees, and being a gracious hostess. In her 50s and 60s she took classes in writing, tailoring, oil painting, upholstery, and nurse's aid. She is also remembered as an accomplished Scrabble player well into her 90's. She was preceded in death by her husband Virgil in 1984 and son Torrey in 2003. She is survived by son Douglas and wife Sherri Wickman of Mammoth Lakes, CA; daughter Julie Howard of Pomona, CA, and daughter-in-law Rosemary Wickman-Lukens of Tacoma. She has four grandchildren, Jim and wife Tricia Wickman of Simi Valley, CA, Susan Wickman of Pomona, CA, Erik and wife Lisa Wickman, and Mia and husband Jack Powell of Puyallup. There are seven great-grandchil-dren: Austin and Ariana Wickman, Amber and husband Levi Wills, and Maryn, Kylie, Joshua and Allyson Powell; and one great-great-grandson, Malekk Wills, all of Puyallup. Lillian is also survived by sister and brother-in-law Myrtle and Stanley Olson of Burnsville MN, and a host of other relatives and friends around the country. Memorial services will be held at the Tacoma Lutheran Home, 1301 N. Highlands Pkwy. in Tacoma on Saturday, November 6th at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Lillian's name to the Tacoma Lutheran Home Foundation, address above. A private burial will be held at New Tacoma Cemetery.