Duane Gilman Vik

Duane was born in Clearlake, South Dakota to Conrad Vik and Myrtle (Bergjord) Vik.  He was raised by his aunt and uncle, Agnes and Alvin Evenson, where he spent his youth growing up on a farm in Toronto, South Dakota.  He was confirmed Lutheran and graduated from Toronto High School where he was crowned King of his class in 1951.

During his childhood and High School days and met and married the love of his life, Maxine (Kahle) Vik to which they recently celebrated 70 years of marriage on February 12, 2022 (1952).  This union led to their only child, Joy Lynn (Vik) Mainwaring, who preceded her father in death on March 22, 2021.

The family moved to Hawthorne, California in 1954.  Shortly after, in 1958, they purchased their home in Redondo Beach, where he resided until his passing.

Often working multiple jobs, his expansive career in California began working at Air Research as an expediter while working part time at Mobil Gas Station for 13 years.  He then worked at Spragues’ Ready Mix as a Ready Mix Driver before starting his own successful company of 25 years, Vik’s Concrete Pumping, from which he retired from.

Deciding retired life wasn’t for him, he started driving cross county transport for a few years, enabling him to see much of the US and eventually ending his work life as a Crossing Guard for the Redondo Beach Police Department.

As the mantra goes, work hard, play harder, he enjoyed spending his free time with his family skiing on his two boats, camping, dancing, reading his Louis L’Amour novels, keeping abreast on World events and spending Friday nights with friends at The Moose Lodge to which he was a member of for 45 years.

To know him was to love him.  He never met a person who he didn’t take the time to talk with and get to know.  He had a way of engaging and making you feel seen and heard.  Always boasting a smile with a tooth pick hanging from his lip and a cowboy hat on his head.  Duane was a true gentleman with a John Wayne soul.

Duane is survived by his Wife, Maxine (Kahle) Vik, Sister, Barbara (Vik) Christopherson, Son-in-law, Jim Mainwaring, Grandchildren, Chad Hawkins (Anna), Heidi Lilly, Step Grandchildren, Ryan Mainwaring (Brittiany), Travis Mainwaring (Lacey), Megan McKenney (Ryan) and 13 Great Grandchildren, Addison, Logan, Wesley, Jameson, Marley, Skylar, Caleb, Mia, Cole, Rylee, Brady, Stella and Mason.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, June 4th at Bay Cities Community Church at 11am with Reception to follow (details to be provided)