Vicki Linn Wagner

Vicki Linn Wagner joined the angels on Saturday, April 9, 2016, surrounded by family. Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, April 15, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 106 Osage Ave., Bismarck, with Rev. Craig A. Schweitzer officiating. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 p.m. at North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. She will be escorted by the American Legion Auxiliary honor guard, Dan R. Richardson Post 54 from Linton. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm Thursday, April 14, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E Divide Ave., Bismarck, where a prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm. Vicki was born March 27, 1954, in Linton, ND, to Victor and Lorrene (Backhaus) Schiermeister. She graduated from Linton High School in 1972 and attended Minot College of Business. In 1973, she was blessed with her only child Roberta (Bobbi), and in 1978 she married Andrew Wagner. Vicki inherited her parent’s solid work ethic and often worked two or three jobs. She worked for the U.S. Census Bureau for 40 years. She was a mentor, trainer and friend to her coworkers. Even after she became ill and was no longer able to work, she would gladly assist any field representative that called her with questions. Vicki also had a long career in the gaming industry (Bismarck Legion Club, Mandan Legion Club, VFW, AMVETS, Pinto Spirit, and The World’s Largest Sandhill Crane Foundation). Her reputation earned her a seat on the Attorney General’s Gaming Advisory Board. In 2010, Vicki, Andy and Bobbi formed Trio Ventures, a small vending machine business. She was very patriotic and was proud of her lifelong membership in the American Legion Auxiliary, and was also a past president. Vicki was always a fighter. Throughout her life, she battled many illnesses. As a young adult when battling Chrones Disease and late stage 3 Hodgkins Disease, she put on a brave face, and most people did not know how badly she was suffering. Vicki, also never hesitated to fight for “what’s right”. And she would fiercely defend the people she cared about. She will be remembered for her smile, her humor, her strength, her intelligence, her courage, her caring and, especially, her generosity. When Vicki saw families in need, she would quickly put together care packages to deliver to them. At Christmas time, her home turned into “Santa’s workshop”…no one but Santa Claus could have had a longer list. And every name tag on every gift had to match the wrapping paper or gift bag perfectly! She loved shopping and making others happy with her gifts. Vicki was always there for the people she cared about and had a knack for knowing just what people needed. She knew when they needed a hug, a shoulder to lean on, a listening ear, a little humor, a bit of advice, or a “firm talking to”. Vicki is survived by her husband, Andy; daughter, Bobbi; one brother Scott Schiermeister; three sisters, Candace (Dave) Anderson, Twyla Schiermeister, and Ida (Luke) Thornton; nephews, Jerry (Trent Olson) and Jaimy Thornton, and Aaron and Evan Anderson; nieces Riki, Dakota and Lorrene Rose Schiermeister; sisters-in-law, Vangie, Lena and Cecilia Wagner; and Andy’s many wonderful nieces and nephews. Vicki had many cousins and friends who considered her to be their sister. Although Vicki only had one child, there were many that she was a second mom to, especially Robyn Backman and Tracy Shell Track. She was preceded in death by her parents, Victor and Lorrene Schiermeister; grandparents, John and Ida Schiermeister and John and Katie Backhaus; her brothers-in-law; her wonderful sister-in-law, Berna Wagner; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends.