Arnold “Arnie” C. Sikkema, 79, of Morrison, IL, died Friday, November 6, 2020, at Resthave Care & Rehabilitation in Morrison.
Arnie was born May 26, 1941, on his parent’s farm outside of Morrison, to George W. and Alice M. (Meinsma) Sikkema. He was educated in the rural Whiteside County grade schools and was Valedictorian of the Class of 1959 at Morrison High School. He married Susan Ramsay on October 2, 1959, in Morrison. Arnie was first employed as a hired farm hand and then started to farm on his own in January of 1961. He farmed the Landheer farm from 1961 to 1971 in rural Morrison. He then bought his farm on Prairie Center Road in 1971, where he farmed the rest of his life. Arnie was also employed at ADM in Clinton, IA, for 25 years. He was a member of the Whiteside County Farm Bureau and was active in the Union Grove Sodbusters 4-H, while his children were growing up. He was on the school board of the Union Grove Schools. Besides his love for his children and grandchildren, Arnie’s next love was for Morrison Schools Athletics. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and was thankful that his whole family was together to witness their World Series Birth in 2016.
Survivors include daughters, Kathy (Michael Merson) Sikkema of New York, NY, and Jill Eberle of Durango, CO; son, Randy (Tami) Sikkema of Pella, IA; four grandchildren, Trent (Stacey) Sikkema, Nikki (Andy) Thomas, Lindsey Johnson, and Jonathan Merson; five great-grandchildren; sisters, Ruth (Henry) Perdue of Lanark, IL, and Judy (Randy) Holesinger of Fulton, IL.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Wilfred “Willie” Sikkema.
A private family Visitation will be held at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home.
It will be followed by a private graveside Service held at noon, Wednesday, November 11, 2020, at Fulton Township Cemetery in Fulton, IL, with Ken Renkes officiating.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
A memorial has been established to Morrison High School Athletic Boosters.