Victoria "Vickie" Lynn Volesky

A tremendous void was created in the hearts of many when Vickie Volesky passed peacefully from this world on Friday, February 15th, at Sanford Palliative Care, surrounded by her large and loving family.

Vickie was born January 2, 1958 to Jack and Catherine Roper in Fargo, ND. She graduated from Shanley High School in 1976 and then went right to work to help financially support her mother and younger siblings. In 1982 she married her best friend, Mark C. Volesky, who convinced her that a move to Grand Rapids, Michigan would result in a series of adventures. All her friends and family knew that Vickie’s attitude towards any challenge was “bring it”. One of the most telling examples was being promoted from administrative assistant to District Manager for the Yamaha Musical Products, Band & Orchestral Division. More specifically, she was the only woman among her peers and excelled, demonstrated by many sales awards, and winning Yamaha’s prestigious President’s Club Award for outstanding performance--twice. She was afforded the opportunity to travel the world in her career, and made innumerable friends, who corresponded with her even after her illness brought her to a slightly early retirement. She touched so many hearts during her life. She had a giving heart, and even when ill she always looked out for the welfare of family before her own.

In 2003 Vickie and Mark both found opportunities to return to their beloved Minnesota lakes country where Vickie was able to work from home to manage the Upper Midwest sales region for Yamaha. Each spring you would find “the flower lady”, as she was known in the neighborhood, putting together beautiful potted flower arrangements and spectacular landscaping, a hobby that was her passion. During the summer you would find Vickie dancing on the deck with Mark to jazz classics and then cruising on the pontoon with Mark, and Millie her beloved Golden Retriever to watch those beautiful Minnesota sunsets. She firmly held inviolate God, Church and Family.

She will forever be in the hearts of family and friends. Vickie is survived by her husband of 36 years, Mark; sister, Jackie Lampe of North Branch, MN, brother, Jeff (Mary) Roper of Kalispell, MT, brother, Guy Roper of Fargo, ND, Sister, Lorie (Mike) Linstaedt of Fargo, brother, Jerome (Karen) Roper of Minneapolis, and Keith (Tesa) Roper of West Fargo, ND, and numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved as if they were her own.
She was preceded on the journey by her parents, Jack and Catherine Roper.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial donations be sent to the Roger Maris Cancer Center, Fargo, or 4 Luv of Dogs, Fargo, ND.