Victoria "Vicki" Cross

Completed her earthly journey in the presence of loving family and friends at the HealthEast Pillars Hospice, Oakdale on August 29, 2019; age 77. Vicki was preceded in death by her parents, R. Thomas and Gerardine (Geri) Thompson Valleau of St Paul. She will be sadly missed by her devoted husband of 24 years, David Cross; her sons Erik (Vicki) Bergstedt and Hans Bergstedt; step-children Heidi (Jim) Helgeson, Janine Cross, and Karen (Bruce) Fogelberg; six step-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren; her brother Robert (Kathy) Valleau, niece, Holly (James) Nobles and nephew, Michael Valleau in addition to loving cousins; Geraldine McCloud Albers, Janet McCloud, Chris Jones, Tom Lydon, Bill Lydon and Eric, Tony, Hoddy and Mark Thompson and many friends. Vicki was born and grew up in St Paul; attended Summit School, the University of Colorado and the University of Minnesota. Her first employment was in retail sales at the Gokey Company, a St. Paul sporting goods family business founded by her grandfather, Horace Thompson. Later she worked for many years as a successful realtor with Realty World/Century 21 in Stillwater. As a family farm owner in Southwestern Minnesota she developed a lasting working and personal relationship with the staff at Fairland Management Co. in Windom which spanned decades. Vicki was actively involved with her beloved Church of the Ascension; Stillwater Lion’s Club (first woman president); the Primrose Club; Stillwater Library; and the St Croix River Association. She loved nature and the outdoors and had a special attachment to places on or near the water.

During her retirement years she often revisited Franconia (a hamlet just south of Taylors Falls) and recalled the joy of her youth spending summers with family and friends, having daily access to the St. Croix River. The North Shore of Lake Superior was her favorite recreation and vacation destination for many years but later her vacation choices were expanded to include Sanibel and Amelia Island, FL., Door County, WI. and the California Central Coast. As always, Vicki shared these wonderful times with family and many friends who were so special to her. Vicki lived, she laughed, she loved. She brought people together, all of whom were better from knowing her. Her energetic (and at times irreverent!) spirit will be missed by all who knew this remarkable woman. We were indeed blessed by her living presence. A Celebration of Vicki’s Life will be held on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at Ascension Church, 214 North Third Street, Stillwater with Visitation at 10:00 a.m. her service at 11:00 followed by a reception and luncheon. Memorials preferred to Ascension Church and to HealthEast Hospice Care.