Jack M. Vizecky, age 77, of Ivanhoe, MN, passed away Saturday, July 5, 2025 at the Hendricks Hospital in Hendricks, MN. Visitation will be from 1:00 – 3:00 pm with a Memorial service at 3:00 pm. on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at the Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Hendricks, MN. Inurnment will be held at a later date in the Hendricks City Cemetery, Hendricks, MN. The Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Hendricks is entrusted with the arrangements.
Jack Michael Vizecky was born on February 14, 1948, in Canby, MN to Ruby (Wollum) Vizecky and Marvin Vizecky. He began his journey in life on a farm south of Hendricks, just a quarter mile from the South Dakota state line. In 1952, as the result of a house fire, his parents lost everything. The only things to survive – thanks to Jack’s mother’s bravery — were Jack, his brother Dick, and their wooden rocking horse “Barnie” which remains on our family farm today. The family relocated to a farm in Brookings County SD where Jack spent the first 7 years being educated in a one-room country schoolhouse. He continued his education for the next 4 years in Astoria, SD and then graduated from Hendricks High School in 1966. In September of 1967 Jack was drafted into the United States Army and spent 15 months in South Korea at Camp Humphreys. In May of 1969, Jack was Honorably Discharged (he extended his tour overseas to get an early discharge). He then returned to Brookings County. Jack was married to Neva Anderson, and together they had two children, Christian and Faith. During this time, Jack was employed in several different occupations and in 1980 he was hired as the Chief of Police in Hendricks, MN. That role led him to return to college to become a Licensed Police Officer. For the next year and a half, he worked two jobs while going to college full time. Jack graduated from Bemidji State University with his degree in law enforcement. Jack served 9 years as the Chief of Police for the City of Hendricks. In 1991, Jack was hired to be a Deputy Sheriff for Lincoln County. In 1994, he was elected Sheriff of Lincoln County and went on to serve four terms in that role. In December of 1997, Jack met the woman who was to become the love of his life. On December 16, 2000, Jack married Debra Jo Alberts and together they raised two sons, Johnathon and Bradly. Jack would tell everyone how lucky that he felt to have met Debra and to be fortunate enough to raise two children with her by his side. Jack retired from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office in June of 2014. He spent a couple of years enjoying retirement and spending time going to Senior College classes where he learned art and wood carving. In 2016, Jack was elected as a Lincoln County Commissioner for 4 years and then enjoyed returning to full-time retirement. During Jack’s life, he found interest in many things including Martial Arts, weightlifting, rodeo/bull riding, dogs, horseback riding, pheasant hunting, fishing, wood carving, furniture building, reading, drawing, watercolor painting, and in general, enjoying the many wonderful experiences that life provided. Jack was the most caring, honest and loving person that anyone could ever know. He was an amazing man—quiet, kind, and full of love.
He is survived by his wife, Deb, Ivanhoe, MN; four children, Christian (Kris Christiansen) Vizecky, Brandt, SD, Faith (Chad) Olsen, Canby, MN, Johnathon (Olya Demina) Pape, Seattle, Bradly Pape, Chicago; brother Shawn (Christel) Vizecky, Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren, Ryder Olsen (Keeley Klein), Brittany (Benjamin Cunningham) Hansen, Allison (Anthony) Moore, Katelyn (Timothy) Kennedy; great grandchildren, Aubrey, Tracey, Brooks, Briggs, Mya, Wes and Ransom. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Ruby, and his brother Dick.
