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MARQUETTE, MI – Janet Jean Vickstrom, 90, of Marquette, passed away on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at Brookridge Heights Assisted Living in the loving care of her family.
Jan was born June 19, 1936 in Marquette, Michigan to Edward and Evelyn (Moffatt) Wainio. She was raised in Marquette and graduated from Graveraet High School in 1954.
She married Kenneth Vickstrom on September 15, 1956 in Marquette. They lived in Jackson, MI for about one year, but then made their life in Marquette. She made her career as a secretary at Graveraet Middle School, where the students knew her as "Mrs. V." She was a warm and welcoming face to generations of students and their families.
After retirement, Jan and Ken wintered in Gulf Shores, AL, making lifelong friendships. In retirement, she also expanded on and developed a wide range of hobbies, such as knitting, crocheting, baking, shopping and fashion, and working out at senior exercise classes at NMU and at Curves for Women.
Jan also enjoyed a busy social life. She enjoyed meals out with Ken, Friday morning coffee and shopping with friends, volunteering at the Beacon House, MGH Auxiliary, the American Legion Auxiliary, and as an election volunteer. She also loved to simply pick up the phone to "gab."
Jan will forever be known for her quick wit and spunk, as well as for her kindness and giving spirit. She had a way of bringing laughter into everyday moments, often through her famous one-liners and playful sayings that her family and friends will continue to cherish and repeat for years to come.
Jan is survived by her daughters, Lynda Vickstrom Trafton of San Antonio, TX and Marquette, and Renee (Gerald) Messana of Marquette; grandchildren, Krystina (Brad) Ostermeyer of Marquette, Sean (Meghan) Soucy of Marquette, Morgan (Matthew Lanagan) of Atlanta, GA, and Erynn (Tyler McDonald) Messana of Marquette; great-grandchildren, Logan and Beau; a sister-in-law, Kathy Wainio; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ken; her parents, a brother, Paul Wainio; and a son-in-law, Thomas Trafton.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 11 am at Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services with Chaplain Coralie Voce officiating. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service. A luncheon will follow the service at the funeral home. Jan will be laid to rest at Park Cemetery with her husband Ken, who passed six months prior.
Jan's service will be livestreamed at https://my.gather.app/remember/janet-vickstrom
Memorial contributions can be made to Messiah Lutheran Church or to the Beacon House in Jan's honor.
The family would like to thank the staff at Brookridge Assisted Living, as well as Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice for their attentive care of Jan and Ken.
Memories of Jan may be shared at fassbenderswansonhansen.com