John “David” Viker

John “David” Viker, 85, Moorhead, MN, died Monday April 5, 2021, at Riverpointe Assisted Living in Moorhead, under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

David was born November 12, 1935 in Halstad Township, MN to Russel and Hazel (Carlson) Viker.  He began high school in Ada and transferred to University of Minnesota Northwest School of Agriculture where he graduated in 1955.  He served in the Army from 1955 to 1957 and upon honorable discharge he worked at the University of Iowa and then for farmers in the Halstad area.

On March 24, 1961 he married Rhoda Messner.  Later they moved to Georgetown and after farming with Rhoda’s father, Rudolph Messner, they began farming on their own.  They raised their family and farmed in Georgetown until 2001 when he retired and they moved to Moorhead.

David served as Board Chairman of the Georgetown Farmer’s Elevator, Board Chairman of Christ Lutheran Church in Georgetown, Elder at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Fargo, and as a Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association District Director.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Loren Viker and Roger Viker, and grandson, Justin Viker.

He is survived by his wife, Rhoda, Moorhead; his son, Russel (Lynne) Viker, Stillwater, MN, and daughters, Sara (Terry) Viker Althoff, Apple Valley, MN, and Ginger (Mark) Harris, Georgetown; 8 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 8, 2021, from 5-7 P.M. at Wright Funeral Home in Moorhead. The funeral service will be Friday, April 9, 2021 at 10:30 A.M. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Fargo. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Moorhead.

The funeral will be livestreamed on Friday at 10:30 on the Facebook page for Immanuel Lutheran Church Fargo. A recording of the service will be available here on David’s webpage shortly after the service on Friday.