Jessica Janette Sikes, Memorial
Jessica was born on Aug. 30, 1983, in Bloomington, Ind. She grew up attending public schools in Culbertson, Neb.; Anson, Texas; and York, Neb. She attended York College, Abilene Christian University and Indiana University.
As a graduate student at Indiana University, she majored in anatomy while working as a graduate assistant in their cadaver lab and as support staff at a facility for those suffering with schizophrenia.
Jessica spent the majority of her life battling various ailments, including congenital nystagmus and strabismus, along with multiple eye surgeries; extreme light and sound sensitivities; 24/7 migraine type pain for 19-plus years (intracranial hypertension); and colon cancer that spread throughout her body until her liver could no longer do its job.
Jessica’s perseverance and tenacity in spite of her physical challenges, blessed those who knew her or knew her story. Jessica made the choice to live her life loving and serving God, her family and others. She lived to give!
Over the past decade, Jessica lived with her parents in both New Jersey and Minnesota. Often confined to her bed, Jessica would buy and sell on the Internet to earn an income, pay her bills and find deals for others. Her resourcefulness, wit, compassion and smile were so attractive to those who knew her. Her understanding of truth and her gift of wisdom made her a wonderful counselor and peacemaker for family and friends.
Jessica was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Clayton and Kathleen Klein, and paternal grandfather, Walter Jack Sikes.
She is survived by a large extended family: her parents, Dr. Steve and Patti (Klein) Sikes of Rochester, Minn. (many may know Steve and Patti as former professors at York College. Currently Steve is the preacher at Rochester Church of Christ and is associated with the Hands of Compassion ministry); her older brother and his wife, Jordan and Jacqueline (Keesee) Sikes and their three daughters; her younger brother and his wife, Caleb and Krista (Ward) Sikes of Port Huron, Mich., and their two sons; her younger sister and husband, Crystal and Shane Stinnett of Rochester, Mich.; her paternal grandmother, Robbie Sikes (Mrs. Jack Sikes) of York, Neb.; many aunts and uncles, and more than 100 cousins who are connected to many local Churches of Christ, in the U.S. and abroad, found in Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Virginia, Bolivia and Ecuador.
People from 14 states attended Jessica’s memorial service in Rochester. Memorial gifts are still being accepted through the Rochester Church of Christ, 632 2nd St SW, Rochester, MN 55902.
You may specify whether you would like your gift to go to either or both the Hands of Compassion ministry (hospitality for Christians visiting Mayo Clinic) and the Jessica Sikes’ Benefit Fund.
