Andrew Fikse

ANDREW FIKSE was born to Hendrik and Wilhelmina (Mouw) Fikse on June 18, 1924 on the family farm near Lester, Iowa. At the age of five, he moved with his family to a farm near Steen, Minnesota where he attended country school. On December 4, 1945, he was united in marriage to Bertha Doeksen (Zwart) at her parent's home in Steen, Minnesota. Following their marriage, they lived on the Schoon Farm, east of Luverne, Minnesota until moving to the Fikse Farm, north of Steen. Andy farmed and did custom farming for several years. He was also a delivery and repair man for Montgomery Wards in Rock Rapids, Iowa and Pipestone, Minnesota. In 1973, they moved to a farm, west of Woodstock, Minnesota. After his retirement in 2010, he continued to help Darrell and Jeff farm as he was able. On Thursday, September 26, at his home, he passed on to his heavenly reward at the age of 89 years, three months and eight days.

Andy was a member of the American Reformed Church in Woodstock, Minnesota where he was an elder and on the building committee. Before moving to Woodstock, he was a member of the American Reformed Church in Luverne, Minnesota where he taught Sunday School and was the Sunday School treasurer. He was a member and officer of the Men's Brotherhood and a youth sponsor for both churches. He loved to look through the windshield while traveling and felt best with a steering wheel in his hands. He was an avid traveler, several times driving to California to visit relatives. He enjoyed Gospel music concerts to Missouri, Iowa and South Dakota. He enjoyed caring for his lawn and later his vegetable and flower gardens. He enjoyed tinkering and was known as 'Mr. Fix-It Man'.

He is lovingly remembered by wife, Bertha Fikse of Edgerton, Minnesota; three children, Virginia 'Ginny' Tilstra and husband Rev. Ray of Sioux Center, Iowa, Arla Feikema and husband Bob of Luverne, Minnesota, Darrell Fikse and wife Jeanne of Woodstock, Minnesota; eight grandchildren, Kathy TeBrink and husband Todd, Shawn Tilstra and wife Kelly, Chad Feikema and wife Heather, Michele Van Dyke and husband Monte, Sheri Van Otterloo and husband Kurt, Jeff Fikse and Angie, Jason Fikse and Alexa, and Amanda Fikse and Steven; 11 great-grandchildren, Tyler TeBrink and fianc Lauren Pepper, Kelsey TeBrink, Jordyn Tilstra, Taylor Tilstra, Megan Feikema, Hailey Feikema, Paige Van Dyke, Paris Van Dyke, Presley Van Dyke, Kaden Van Otterloo and Karson Van Otterloo; and one sister, Henrietta 'Etta' DeJongh and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; one grandson, Michael Fikse; one brother and his wife, Dick and Alberta Fikse; one sister and her husband, Dena and Albert Umland; and one brother-in-law, Harvey DeJongh.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Compassion International.