Vickie Halstenson

June 14, 1951 ~ December 19, 2011
Vickie Jo Halstenson, age 60, West Fargo, ND passed away on, Monday, December 19, 2011 at the Palliative Care Unit at Sanford Health, Fargo surrounded by family and friends. She unfortunately lost the battle to pancreatic cancer.
Vickie was born in Fargo, ND at Dakota Hospital to Dale and Josephine Nelles. Vickie attended Fargo Public Schools until her senior year of High School when her family moved to Minneapolis, MN. She graduated from Osseo High School. Vickie met and married Gary Groothuis in 1970. She had two daughters, Heidi and Holly Groothuis. Vickie worked at Dakota Hospital as a ward clerk. While working at the hospital she became good friends with Ruth Barry who introduced Vickie to her brother Juel. Juel and Vickie fell in love and married in 1981. Vickie then changed her career and started doing daycare in her home. Vickie not only got the joy of doing daycare for her own grandchildren Shelby and Derek but all of the daycare kids would come to know Vickie as grandma. Not by choice she also ended up being a doggy daycare provider and they also became her babies.
Vickie was a very caring and giving person. Vickie had an extended family as she always ended up "adopting her daycare parents" as her own and the children as grandchildren.
Vickie had the heart of an angel and now she will continue her mission by watching over all of us from above.
Vickie is survived by her husband Juel Halstenson, West Fargo, ND, daughters; Heidi (Tony) Ladwig, West Fargo, ND, Holly Groothuis, San Diego, CA, grandchildren; Shelby and Derek Ladwig, West Fargo, ND, father; Dale Nelles Sr., Fargo, ND, brothers; Dale (Rachel) Nelles Jr., Corey Nelles, all of Fargo, ND.
Vickie was preceded in death by her mother, Josephine Nelles, mother and father-in-law, Earl and Arabelle Halstenson and sister-in-law, Ruth Barry.
Vickie's family would like to say a special thank you to all of the nurses at the Palliative Care Unit of Sanford Health. They took such good care of Vickie and showed care and respect with her again and again. Thank you!
Grafton ND
Juel & family,
I learned of Vickie’s death from Sharon
Thompson. Our sympathy to all of your
family. so I reflect back to the reunion
two years ago and it was so fun to see
you both. The Halstenson family,
(therefore our family)has suffered so
much loss in the last while. The next
reunion will have many empty chairs.
It’s hard enoough to lose the “greatest
generation”, let alone “our” generation.
Juel, take care, and know you are in
our prayers.
Joyce & Bill
Fargo ND
To Vickie’s family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
With Sympathy,
Judy Rehder
WEST FARGO ND
My deepest sympathy to Vickie’s family!
fargo ndDear Juel and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this most difficult time.
Juel this is Shirley Mark’s sister
Grafton ND
Our hearts go out to you. I am so glad I was given the chance to vist with her this spring for a short while. I wish I would have gotten to know her better. I really liked her! I know you will all miss her very, very much, but knowing that she is now without pain and in the arms of Our Savior must be a great comfort. I wish I could say something meaningful to make all the pain you are going through go away. Our prayers will be with you as well as with Holly and Heidi.
Al & Sharon
san diego caHolly, know that my thoughts are with you, especially over the next few days.
Moorhead MN
Dear Juel and Family,
We are so very sorry for your loss. If there is anything we can do to make this time easier for you, please do not hesitate to call on us.
Love,
Lola and John
Mesa AZ
I am saddened to hear of Vickie’s death. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Grandma Vickie was much loved by my granddaughter “Marley” and it was so obvious that Vickie loved her. I’m so honored to have known Vickie.