Elton Sikkink

Elton Eugene Sikkink, 83, passed away on March 3, 2021, in Rochester, Minn.  He was born January 7, 1938, to Harold and Vera (Boland) Sikkink in Harmony, Minn.

On March 21, 1959, he married Sharon Maxine Brueggeman at Ft. Riley, Kans. They have two children, Richard (Pamela Erding) Sikkink, Michelle (Bryan) Root, which resulted in four grandchildren: Thomas (Tina) Erding, Troy (Jodi) Erding, Breanna (Derek) Torkelson, and Natasha (Cody) Howe; seven plus one great-grandchildren: Brittany, Shelby, Cortney, Janessa, Mason Erding. Aubrey, and Oakly Howe, and baby girl Torkelson on the way.

He had three brothers, Roger (Marge) Sikkink, Emerson (Lorraine) Sikkink and Paul (Judy) Sikkink. He has several nieces and nephews from these unions.

He attended the rural school in grade school and Harmony High school, from which he graduated. He then attended Central College in Pella, Iowa, for two years. Elton enjoyed sports and played football and basketball in high school, and football in college, as well as church league softball and basketball, along with bowling and golf many years in adulthood.  The last 25 years, fishing was his sport of choice.

Elton enlisted in the United States Army Corps in 1958 in Preston, Minn.  He was stationed at Ft. Riley, Kans., where he was a bass drummer in the 1st Infantry Division Band.  Elton received the Good Conduct Medal during his enlistment.  He was honorably discharged in 1960.

Elton’s work career was varied. He worked for farmers, was a construction laborer, worked in a creamery, and became a barber in Wykoff after schooling in St. Paul. He was a school bus driver for many, many years. He became a hog farmer, then a postal carrier in Stewartville, Minn. For many years, he was barber, postal carrier, and hog farmer all at the same time.

Elton was also Grandpa Elton to a great many of the children. Sharon did daycare at their home. Some of these children became extra special parts of the family and spent much time with Grandpa Elton and Grandma Sharon, even after their daycare ended. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Roger (Marge) and Emerson, and one nephew, Jim Sikkink.

Services for Elton will be private family only.  Public visitation will be on Monday, March 8, 2021, from 12:30-1:45 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wykoff, Minn.  Burial will take place later in the spring.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, social distancing will be practiced and masks must be worn.

Condolences may be left at www.Hindtfuneralhomes.com.