Due to winter storm conditions the Funeral Mass for Clarice Vik originally scheduled for 11 am Monday, December 27th at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston has been postponed to Tuesday, December 28th at 11 am.
Clarice Ann Babinski Vik passed away Monday morning while surrounded by family on December 20, 2021, at the age of 79 at the Benedictine Living Community in Crookston, MN.
She was born on August 4, 1942, to Sylvester and Florence Babinski in Crookston, MN, and spent her early years in the area of Warsaw, and Manvel, ND graduating from St. James High School in Grand Forks, ND. In 1960, she was united in marriage to Vernon Stoltman, moving to Huntington Beach, CA to raise a family of 3 children: Sheryl, Nadine, and Kevin Stoltman. Sadly, her son Kevin died at a young age and her husband, a policeman, was injured on the job requiring the family of 4 to move back to North Dakota and later to Thief River Falls, MN area to secure employment. Sadly, her husband Vernon fell to his death while working on building a home for the family in Thief River Falls. On September 7, 1974, Clarice was united in marriage to John M. Vik making their home in Thief River Falls for about a year and in August of 1975, they moved to Crookston, MN, and purchased the Golf Terrace Motel, taking on the task of running a 17 unit motel. In 1982, the opportunity presented itself to sell the motel and John decided to pursue his electronics interests while Clarice spent most of her time flower gardening and volunteering with her church, her homemakers group, the home council, and Lions Clubs. She and John enjoyed dancing to old-time music with many evenings spent dancing to waltzes and polkas at the American Legion or Eagles Club and traveling to Polka Fests around Minnesota and North Dakota. Clarice had a special love for people and would go out of her way to make a new acquaintance or help make someone feel welcome. She was an incredible cook and warmed the hearts of many with her delicious meals….part of her Polish heritage. In 1999, Clarice and John completely remodeled and refurbished the motel, which they ran until 2010 when Clarice retired from the workforce and moved her energy and efforts to spending time with Merri-Mixers Homemakers, the Catholic Daughters of America, the Lions Clubs, the Red-Hats, the Eagles Auxiliary, the Legion Auxiliary, and her church circle at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. John and Clarice lived in Crookston for 46 years while being an active part of the community throughout those years. Their list of friends and acquaintances was endless. Clarice had a strong dedication to the Catholic faith and would pray for her family, relatives, and friends daily along with praying the Rosary on a daily basis.
Clarice is survived by her husband of 47 years, John M. Vik, her two daughters: Sheryl (Dean) Adams of Crookston, MN and Nadine (Joe) McDilda of Ramsey, MN, and six grandchildren: Katherine McDilda, Jennifer McDilda, Serenity Adams, Roman Adams, Kaz Adams, and Precious Adams. She is also survived by her sisters: Jeannine (Daryl) Loe and Bettie (Ken) Huntley.
Preceding Clarice in death are her parents, Sylvester and Florence Babinski: her first husband, Vernon Stoltman: her infant son, Kevin Stoltman: and her brother, Aaron Babinski.
The Mass of Christian Burial for Clarice will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 27, 2021, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston, with The Rev. Joe Richards, officiating followed by a meal in the Cathedral Dining Room. Interment will be held at a later date in the Spring. Visitation will be in the Cathedral on Sunday, December 26, from 4-7:00 p.m., with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, and visitation will continue Monday for one hour (10:00 to 11:00) prior to the Mass at 11:00 AM. May the memory of Clarice Vik truly be blest.
