Darlene Sikkema, age 89 of Fulton, passed away Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at her home. In following Darlene’s wishes cremation rites will be accorded. A Celebration of Life will take place from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Saturday, June 11th at Rastrelli’s Restaurant on Main Ave. in Clinton. Burial will take place at a later date in Fulton Township Cemetery. The Pape Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Darlene Sikkema, 89, passed away peacefully at her home in Fulton, Illinois, with family near, including her husband of 71 years, Russell. Darlene was the daughter of Andrew and Mae Bielema, along with her siblings Howard and Viola. She attended a one-room schoolhouse in the Albany-Erie area, and went to Erie High School, where she loved participating in marching band and excelled in Latin class. She married Russell Sikkema in 1951. A devoted farm wife, she tended chickens, chased pigs, grew and canned vegetables and fruit, planted trees and shrubs at every house she lived in, and was well-known for her superb cooking for her family and many others who helped with the farm work. Darlene was a wonderful and supportive mother to her three sons Loren, Jon, and Scott, and was an active and vocal attendee at Fulton Steamer football games. She loved her daughter-in-law Cecelia, and spending as much time as she could with her grandchildren. In later years she enjoyed traveling, volunteering at Fulton Elementary School, reading biographies of historical women, an occasional glass of wine, and getting her hair done each week at Head Over Heels Salon, where she and Russell enjoyed good times and laughter with friends. The family asks that any donations in Darlene’s memory be made to the River Bend Educational Foundation. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com.