Phoebe Jane Irene (Huset) Vik

Phoebe was born on January 31, 1932 to loving parents Alvin and Esther (Berg) Huset in Rice Lake, WI. She married Osmund Vik on June 8, 1952, and together they had a loving family with five children.

From a young age, Phoebe realized she loved helping people, and this led her to choose a career in nursing. She was one of the first students at the Luther Hospital nursing program in Eau Claire. She recently shared a story about that time – While most of her courses were at the hospital (where their lodgings were, also), some were at what was the original UW-Eau Claire campus area. For the students, this meant either a long, cold walk of a few miles during very snowy winters, or, for those that could afford it, a bus ride on the City bus. While her family could afford to give her money for the bus, she noticed that many of the students didn’t have that luxury. So, she decided to she could walk with them. It was just this kind of caring attitude that made her an excellent nurse!

She started her career working at various hospitals in various departments, but realized that she really enjoyed helping the elderly. Over the years of her career, she worked at a number of facilities, but really found her home at Knapp Haven in Chetek. She worked her way up, eventually becoming the Director of Nurses and changing the lives of many, even encouraging some of the employees to continue their education and become registered nurses and beyond! In this capacity, she touched the lives of those she provided care to as well as those she worked with. Later in her career she chose to become a Nursing Home Surveyor (Inspector) for the State of Wisconsin. She always felt that the elderly should be treated as well as possible, and by becoming a Surveyor she was able to do all she could to assure they would be well cared for.

After retiring she became a snowbird, spending her winter months in Phoenix, AZ and returning to the Chetek area for the summer months. Throughout her life, she enjoyed sewing and especially knitting. Over the years she’s knit dozens of mittens for kids and adults, family and friends, and always giving them away with all of her heart. Her talent at knitting knew no bounds, as she created many beautiful blankets and sweaters over the years as well.

She also enjoyed being a lifelong member of the Chetek Lutheran Church family. She loved singing in the choir, and she and Ozzie even sang duets during many church services over the years. She was an active Circle member and gave her time willingly to help others in the Church and the community.

Over the years of raising their kids, both Phoebe and Ozzie shared a love of camping and fishing, and enjoyed their time at the family cabin outside Gordon, WI. They passed on that love of the outdoors to all of their children, grandchildren, and great-grands, too!

She will be missed so very much by her large family, and they include her children: Barry (Bev) Vik of Rice Lake, WI; Elise Vik (Steve Curtis), Chetek, WI; Brian (Pam) Vik, Phoenix, AZ; Tim (Sue) Vik, Hopewell, IL; and Sheryl Gonzales, New Auburn, WI and her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, along with nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends will also miss her greatly!

She was preceded in death by both of her parents (Alvin and Esther), her husband Osmund, her brother Herbert Huset, her grand-daughter Nicole (Nikki) Waege, and her son-in-law Ken Gonzales.

The funeral service for Phoebe will be held on Monday, October 29, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at Chetek Lutheran Church.  Visitation will be held at church beginning at 10:00 A.M.

Phoebe will be laid to rest alongside her husband Osmund at the Lakeview Cemetery in Chetek following the service.  Pallbearers will be grandchildren, Erik Vik, Hans Vik, Jonathon Wishard, Jeffery Blake, Christian Hansen and Corey Vik.

Please join the family at the church for a warm lunch and fellowship following the cemetery service.  

The Burnham-Ours-Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Chetek has been entrusted with arrangements.

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