DONALD KEITH VIKSTEN

Donald Keith Viksten, 90, of Willard passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. He was born in Sioux City, Iowa on Feb. 12, 1934; the son of Arvid and Ragna Viksten.
He graduated in 1952 from Central High School in Sioux City, Iowa.
He enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard on Dec. 7, 1953 (Pearl Harbor Day) where he served as a buoy tender and engine room attendant in Cameron, La. until Nov. 1957.
Following his time in the Coast Guard he moved back to Sioux City and worked as a service technician for Pitney Bowes for more than 30 years, accepting an early retirement incentive on Feb. 16, 1990, at the age of 56.
He married Elaine Nelson on May 16, 1959, in Wakefield, Neb. and they were married for 44 years before her sudden and unexpected death on Oct. 21, 2003.
After retirement, he and Elaine worked at Sky Ranch Lutheran Bible Camp in Colorado every summer from 1990-1998.
He was active at First Lutheran and Central Baptist churches in Sioux City, serving on several church councils and building committees and teaching sixth grade Sunday School for more than 25 years. He moved to Springfield in 2010 where he attended Willard First Baptist Church. He particularly enjoyed his “old guys” Sunday School class.
He is survived by his daughter, Connie (Lee) Van Wyhe of Springfield; his son, Mark of Sioux City; thre grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; his brother, LeRoy Viksten of Orangevale, Calif.; two nieces and a nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Elaine; his brother and sister-in-law, Ray and Esther Viksten (Iowa City); sister-in-law Margaret Viksten; and nephew, Steve Viksten.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Central Baptist Church in Sioux City with Neil Peck officiating. Burial followed at Graceland Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Sioux City Gospel Mission or Convoy of Hope in Springfield.
Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Meyer Brothers Funeral homes in Sioux City, Iowa.