The memorial service for Donald Dean Vikse will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, November 1st at the River Park Chapel, Macken Funeral Home in Rochester (1105 12 ^th Street SE) with Pastor Anjanette Bandel officiating.  Burial will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens.  The visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Saturday.

Don was 77 when he passed away at his home from pancreatic cancer that was discovered three months earlier.  He was surrounded by his family who loved him very much, will miss him every day and are heartbroken he has passed.

Don was born July 30, 1937, in Fillmore County, MN to Edmund and Edna (Kappers) Vikse.  He graduated from Leroy HS in 1955.  Don entered the Army in 1960 and was stationed in Yuma, AZ as a cook for 2 years.

Don married Charlotte Ann Flikke on February 1, 1963 and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year.  They made an inseparable team.

Don worked on his father's and neighbors farms, for Kappers Construction, Crenlo, the 7-Up Corporation and retired from the Rochester Public Library after 27 years.

Don's family includes his wife, Charlotte; daughters and sons-in-law, Kristie Vikse (Joe Martinez) of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, Kelly (Thomas) Sauro of Rosemount MN and their three sons, Alex, Tommy and Austin; his two brothers, Darrell (Glenna) Vikse of Spring Valley and Fred (Shirley) Vikse of Rochester; and many aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces and cousins.  He is preceded in death by his parents, sister, Vivian, and brother, Marvin.

Don loved to tinker with motors and repair anything mechanical.  He could see the possibilities in creating something new or repurposing things others thought useless. He was wired to make things better. And that's just what he did everywhere he went.  He loved to trim trees and shrubs and find hidden treasures at garage sales because he had the knack to see the potential in things.  What mattered most to Don were people and relationships.  He treated everyone with honesty, respect, tolerance and patience.  Don was a loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and friend.  His gentle blue eyes, warm smile, caring disposition and generous nature will be missed by so many.  Everyone who met him found they immediately liked him and Don left a lasting impression.

Don's family would like to thank his doctors and nurses at the Mayo Clinic and Mayo Hospice who gave Don wonderful care and a special recognition to Dr. Leventakos who treated him like family.

Memorial suggestions include the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and Mayo Hospice.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com