Fosston - Wilma Vikan, 88, died Wednesday, August 19, 1998 at her home in Fosston.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, August 22 at 10 a.m. at Hope Lutheran Church in Fosston with Reverend Paul Magelssen officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. The Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Fosston was in charge of the arrangements.
Wilma Adalia Johnson was born on October 2, 1909 in Grand Forks, ND, the daughter of E.C. and Christina Johnson. Wilma's father died when she was 13 years old, and her mother sold baked goods to help keep the family together at home. Wilma and her six sisters were all musicians, Wilma a pianist. The sisters performed in various combinations all over the area and were known as the Johnson Sisters.
After graduating from high school Wilma worked for a year before continuing her studies at the University of North Dakota where she was a member of the Sigma Alpha Lota, an honorary music sorority, and Delta Zeta.
At the age of 26, she was united in marriage to Franklin Vikan in a double wedding ceremony with her sister, Alice, and Frederick Voedisch. Wilma and Franklin met at church where she was accompanying the men's choir of which he was a member. In 1937, they moved to Fosston where Franklin took a job at the newspaper, The Thirteen Towns. Wilma and Franklin eventually purchased The Thirteen Towns, jointly editing and publishing for 50 years before selling the paper in 1988.
She was active in a number of organizations and activities in Fosston, including the McDowell Club, Hope Church Choir, Athenian Club, Fosston Zoning Committee and her bridge club. She accompanied many area musical groups and enjoyed music, her family and friends.
Wilma is survived by three daughters, Gail (Harry) Adams of Santa Rosa, CA, Linda Kline of St. Paul, and Bonnie (John) Thoreen of St. Helena, CA; two sons, Dean (Phyllis) of Fosston and Gary (Elana) of Baltimore, MD; 12 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Franklin on October 27, 1993 and one son-in-law, F. Gerald Kline.