Ernest B. Vick, age 98, of Brookings, died Wednesday, February 11, 2009. Funeral services will be 1:30 P.M. Saturday, February 14, 2009, at Lake Campbell Lutheran Church, with interment in the church cemetery. Visitations will be from 5-7 P.M. Friday at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Lake Campbell Lutheran Church may be mailed to 21928 465th Avenue, Volga, SD 57071.

Ernest B. Vick was born October 29, 1910, and was the fourth of eight children born in Oslo Township to Gunerius and Bertha (Berge) Vick. He attended school at Oslo No. 98. After the eighth grade, he worked as a farm hand for his uncles before renting and then purchasing his own farm. In 1934, he married Belle Wallen, and they lived and worked on the farm west of Lake Campbell until he retired in 1975. At that time they moved to Brookings where he lived until his death. Ernest was a loving father to two daughters, Bertha Ellen Madtson and Judith Hilmoe.

As a young man, Ernest loved pitching for the Lake Campbell Canaries baseball team. He was a skilled fisherman, trapper, and hunter. He enjoyed gardening and bowling, and began golfing at age 70. Ernest became well known throughout the community for his collections of old wrenches and vintage Tonka toys. He loved to bargain and garage sales were a favorite haunt. When the girls were growing up, Ernest was very involved in and supportive of their 4-H activities. He was always joking and telling stories.

Ernest was a lifelong member of Lake Campbell Lutheran Church. His first year of confirmation instruction was taught in Norwegian. He served several times on the church council and he continued to be actively involved in the church and its activities until his death. Rolling bandages for missions was an important activity during his last years.

Survivors include his wife, Belle Vick, of Brookings; two daughters: Bertha Madtson of Red Wing, Minnesota, and Judith (Richard) Hilmoe of Volga, South Dakota; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Esther, Ruth, Joel, Stanley, Archie, Boyd, and Judith; a son-in-law, Donald Madtson; and a great-granddaughter, Ann Marie Madtson.