Vikki Jo (Diedrich) Engel, 72, passed away on January 13, 2024, at Good Samaritan Society – St. Martin Village Nursing Home in Rapid City, SD.  She was surrounded by the love and comfort of her family.

Vikki was born in Hettinger, North Dakota on October 5, 1951, to Gordon and June (Pederson) Diedrich.  Vikki was the second of three children and the only daughter.  Vikki grew up on the south side of Rapid City and attended South Junior High and Rapid City High School, from which she graduated in 1969.  Growing up she spent many summers at the farms of her maternal aunts and uncles in Hendricks, Minnesota.  She did her fair share of chores while also enjoying the freedom farm life had to offer.  She loved the Pederson family humor and laughter and shared memories from these times often.  Like many teens raised in Rapid City, she enjoyed cruising 8th Street in her Chevy Corvair and later on, the '69 Chevelle, which the family still owns.

Vikki married Gary Engel on August 22, 1970, and they welcomed their first daughter, Kalin, the following year.  After Gary graduated from college they lived briefly in Huron and Pierre due to his job as an engineer for the Department of Transportation.  While in Pierre they welcomed Kerry, their only son.  Gary and Vikki built their home on the north side of town upon returning to Rapid City in 1977 and five years later, their second daughter, Kasey, was born.  They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary two months before Gary passed away.

Vikki worked to help put Gary through college and thereafter to help raise their family.  She operated an in-home daycare and a vending machine business before finding her true calling as a paraprofessional working in the in-school suspension room at North Middle School.  She loved working with children.  She worked at North Middle School for 16 years before she was required to retire due to medical reasons.  Vikki suffered from various serious medical ailments, the culmination of which caused her untimely death.  She courageously met these health challenges, never losing hope that she would one day regain her independence and the ability to walk.

Vikki and Gary were involved in all of their children's activities and sporting events, including baseball and softball with Gary coaching or umping and Vikki keeping book as well as traveling for baseball and basketball with half the team riding along.  Vikki never missed a game, concert, or student-teacher conferences.  Gary and Vikki loved playing cribbage and they shared this with their children and grandchildren.  There are many fond memories of family cribbage games held at the kitchen table.  Vikki loved the bright lights of Deadwood and the lure of slot machines.  Somehow, she was luckier than most when playing.  Kerry celebrated her 70th birthday by taking her to Las Vegas, a trip she cherished.  Vikki loved every holiday, especially Christmas, and went above and beyond to make each one special for her family.

The light of Vikki's life was her children, grandchildren and great-grandchild.  One of the last things she said was that she couldn't bear to leave them.  They will be lost without her and her unwavering love and support of them and their endeavors.  Vikki was a woman of strength, patience and compassion with a kind and comforting presence.  Vikki was a treasured wife, mom, grandma, sister and friend, and she will be dearly missed.

Vikki was preceded in death by her husband, Gary; her parents, Gordon and June; and her brothers-in-law, Randy and David.  Those surviving her, and incredibly grateful for having shared her life are her daughter, Kalin (Troy) and her children, Merina (Zac), Merissa (Bob) and their child Walter, Kathryn (Christian), Allie; son, Kerry (Rhonda) and their son Keegan; daughter, Kasey (Matt) and their children, Grace, Eric and Levi; mother-in-law, Leona; brother, Steve and his son, Cory; brother, Mike (Connie) and their sons Chris (Sarah) and Ross; and special friends, Harold and Cam and their children, Jason (Mistie) and Justin (Kristin).

The visitation will be held Friday, January 19th at 11:30 a.m.  The celebration of life service will be held at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Free officiating. Burial at Mountain View Cemetery will follow the service.  The family is hosting a reception with hors d'oeuvres at 5:00 p.m. at Minervas.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the CASA program or to the charity of your choice.