“Jim” Murray Vickerman age 89 of Tracy passed away on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at McLaughlin Hospice House in Marshall. A private family funeral was held Saturday, January 23, 2021, with a Facebook livestream at Stephens Funeral Service Facebook page. The Facebook link may be found and online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.
Interment was in the Tracy City Cemetery. Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Jim Vickerman was born May 1, 1931, at the Tracy Hospital to John Sr. and Myrtle (Reinert) Vickerman. He was baptized at the Garvin Congregational Church. Jim graduated from Tracy High School in 1949. On April 5, 1950 Jim was united to the love of his life Wava Carlson at the Garvin Congregational Church. Together the couple lived and farmed near Tracy. In 1955, they joined the Tracy United Methodist Church. Jim began working as the director of the Murray County Soil and Water Conservation District. He also served as Murray County Commissioner for six years. Jim then ran for Minnesota State Senate and served for 24 years. He served in local government and chaired many committees over the years, including Finance, Agriculture, and Veterans Committees. Jim also worked to help bring Ethanol to Southwest MN. Jim received many awards and recognitions over the years, but he was most proud of being named ‘The Tracy Chamber Outstanding Citizen of the Year’ in 2005, and was inducted in the “Tracy Area Public Schools Wall of Fame’ in 2015. Jim was a Mason and 4H leader for many years. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, traveling, reading the newspaper and watching the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Jim loved spending time at the cabin near Park Rapids and most of all spending time with his family.
Jim is survived by his wife Wava of 70 years; children: Steve (Pat) Vickerman of Tracy, Karen (Steve) Halter of Oak Grove, Jill (Patrick) Jopp of Elk River, & Kent (Julie) Vickerman of Salt Lake City, UT; son-in-law Tim Weinzetl of Topsham, ME; grandchildren: Aaron, Jason, Jessica, Kari, Erica, Amanda, Troy, Brandon, Ashley, Karli, Jadie, Brianna, Grant & Amber; great grandchildren: Illyana, Anna, Eli, Lexie, Kingsley, Brixton, Corrigan, Porter, Harper, Baylor, Brooks, Joelle, Kennedy, Cooper & Iyla; and many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, daughter Peggy Weinzetl, son Scott Vickerman, one brother and three sisters.