Vickie Jean Jensen was born on October 13, 1954, at Ladd Memorial Hospital in Osceola, Wisconsin. She died at Christian Community Homes in Osceola on Monday, August 25, 2025.

Vickie was smart, loving, hard-working, and generous. She especially was the best aunt EVER.

“Aunt Vickie” was an involved aunt, first to her four nephews and one niece and later to her 17 great nephews and nieces. She knew all these children well and could pop the trunk of her car and produce a perfectly curated gift for each child.

Vickie had many interests: cats, agates, history, genealogy, Legos, spongeware pottery, Sweet Baby Girl tomatoes, cottage flowers, sweet corn (but only Rochel’s sweet corn!), Irish Belleek pottery, antiques, going to thrift stores, wrapping the most beautiful Christmas presents, and collecting big, heavy chairs and tables that the family had to move around!

Most of all, Vickie was a consummate horsewoman, winning multiple awards showing her quarter horses, Do, Lucy, and Bucky.

Vickie was graduated from Osceola High School in 1973. Her love for horses took her to William Woods College in Fulton, MO where she earned her BA with an Equestrian Studies major in 1977. She earned a master’s degree in business management in 2003.

Even though she did not establish a career in the horse industry, she became a valuable human resources director at several major manufacturing companies, including Polaris, UFE and Northwire, Inc. in Osceola.

She was recognized by University of Wisconsin-Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute for her service on the Wisconsin Projects with Industry Business Advisory Council. Vickie was committed to fostering understanding and improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities in the workplace.

Vickie was a dedicated volunteer throughout her life. She contributed countless hours of service to many organizations. She also served on the following boards over the years: Friends of the Osceola Library, Osceola Charter School, Osceola Medical Center, Polk County Tourism, Osceola and St. Croix Valley Railway, Wisconsin Railway Preservation Trust, Osceola Main Street and the St. Croix Valley Employer’s Association.

She loved trains! She was a founding member of the Osceola and St. Croix Valley Railway which was instrumental in bringing the trains back to Osceola. She assisted the Osceola Historical Society’s project to restore the Osceola Depot. She also volunteered as a conductor on the Osceola excursion trains.

She was founder of the Wisconsin Railway Preservation Trust. The trust completed its goal of restoring the 1003 steam engine, so it once again rode the rails in our area.

Except for her college years in Missouri and a few years living in California and Minnesota, Vickie lived most of her life in Osceola. She was a life-long member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Osceola.

Vickie suffered from several health challenges for many years. After she was disabled in 2011, she continued to volunteer as her health would allow: she was a greeter at the St. Croix Valley Medical Center (now St. Croix Health) and she was the book and Lego expert for the Adoray’s Treasures From the Heart Thrift Store in Osceola.

Vickie led a full and caring life. She was always willing to help in any way she could. She will be missed by many.

“Wishing you a smooth and pleasant onward journey. Farewell and may our paths cross again at a future station.” (Unknown)

Vickie is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Mary Jensen; sister, Linda Gordon; brother-in-law, Lou Gordon; brother-in-law, Harry Beck and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

She is survived by her sister, Nancy Beck (Jerry Sand); brother, Tom Jensen (Laura); nephews Ryan Jensen (Sonya), Jacob Beck (Brooke), Charles Beck (Claudia) and Michael Beck (Monique) and her niece Amanda (Scott) Swanson and all her great nieces and nephews: James, Mabel, Mollie, Arthur, Elliot, Atticus, Henry, David, Ella and Liam Beck and Lea, Rhys, Cohen, Cameron, Elin, Parker, and Layne Swanson.

She is also survived by her special uncles, Robert Jensen and Bill (Carole) Kubler.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Vickie will be laid to rest at Mount Hope Cemetery in Osceola, next to her parents.

A special thank you to the Adoray Hospice staff, CCH staff and Julie Fox for such amazing care for Vickie as she passed.

Memorials in Vickie’s name can be directed to Adoray Home Health and Hospice, the Osceola Historical Society, Christian Community Homes and Services or the Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway.

“One can get in a car and see what man has made. One must get on a horse to see what God has made.” (Unknown)

Last Update: Aug 27, 2025 10:50 am CDT