Mary Ann Vikstrom

VIKSTROM, MARY ANN Age 87 May 22, 2025 Beloved wife of the late Swen H. Loving mother of Lisa (John) Deeds, Karen Vikstrom, Mike Vikstrom & the late Linda Vikstrom. Proud grandmother of Kathryn (Josh Gatz) Deeds & Thomas Deeds. Mary Ann was predeceased by her four brothers: the late Joseph, Jr. (the late Elsie) Udovich, the late Louis (the late Shirley) Udovich, the late Albert (Carol) Udovich, and the late Leonard (the late Eveyln) Udovich, and two sisters: the late Sr. Carmel (Molly Udovich) of the Notre Dame School Sisters & the late Olga (the late Herbert) Jorsch. “Say not in grief that she is no more, but say in thankfulness that she was. A death is not the extinguishing of a light but the putting out of the lamp because the dawn has come.”—RABINDRANATH TAGORE Mary Ann was born and raised in Sheboygan, Wisconsin as part of a large, close Slovenian-American family. She graduated from Sheboygan Central High School and later moved to Milwaukee to study nursing at the Milwaukee County Hospital School of Nursing. It is there that she met and married her husband Swen H. Vikstrom (Herb). Soon afterward they began a series of long-distance moves that had them living in Texas (twice), Arkansas, California, and a couple of moves back to her beloved Wisconsin. She eventually moved to Shelby Township, Michigan where she resided for more than 50 years. Although she ended up far from her native state, she always remained proud of her Wisconsin roots. Seeing a stranger wearing a Wisconsin-themed t-shirt was bound to result in a conversation about her Wisconsin roots. She continued to be close to her childhood friends and the extended Udovich clan throughout her entire life and whenever possible, she travelled back to Wisconsin to take part in family gatherings. During her years in Michigan, she became close to her Vikstrom in-laws, particularly her brother-in-law, Dennis Vikstrom and his wife, Dorothy. Mary Ann and her family spent many years celebrating Thanksgiving with Dorothy and Denny and these large family gatherings always gave her great joy. Mary Ann was a life-long lover of nature. When her children were young, she enjoyed visiting the forests of Wisconsin and Michigan in a pop-up camper and in later years, she and Herb enjoyed their time as “snow birds” in their 5th wheel. She was an avid gardener who took great pride in the beauty of her yard, the flavor of her garden tomatoes and most importantly, the asparagus she harvested from her garden every spring. One of central tenets of Mary Ann’s life was her role as a caregiver, whether she was taking care of her family or her patients during her career as a registered nurse. Mary Ann’s caregiving also extended to the birds and squirrels that lived in her yard. She fed them well and they learned to look for her through the patio door. Mary Ann was a very active member of her church, St. Kieran’s Catholic Church of Shelby Township, MI where she volunteered for many different activities over the years including: teaching catechism, greeting people at Sunday mass, serving at funeral lunches, and helping with MCREST, the Macomb County rotating homeless shelter. She also volunteered for 20 years at the Samaritan house, a Macomb county-based aid organization for families in need. It was through the church that she met many of her friends that provided emotional support following the death of her husband and many good memories during the subsequent years. Her children and grandchildren are thankful that Mary Ann remained active and vigorous up to the very end. She had continued to enjoy family dinners, card games with her friends, and trips to experience new and interesting places. She touched many lives and she will be greatly missed. Memorial Gathering Monday, July 7, 2025 at 9:30am at St. Kieran Church 53600 Mound Rd. (btw 24 & 25 Mile Rds.) until time of Memorial Mass at 10:00am. Donations are welcome to Samaritan House or the Semper Fi & America's Fund. Share memories with the family at their "On Line Guest Book" @ WujekCalcaterra.com. “A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again.” —MAYA ANGELOU

Mary Ann Vikstrom

May 22, 1938 - May 22, 2025