Bernardine (Bernie) Zikes

Bernie left this life to be with her Lord and family on July 10th, 2014.

Born September 3rd, 1932. Bernie was the fifth of six children born to Stella and Stanley Sikorski in the Polish ethnic neighborhood of South Chicago. She attended Immaculate Conception BVM grade school and church. She was a life-long practicing Catholic. She graduated from James H Bowen High School where she was a drum majorette and heavily involved in music and theatre.

She met her future husband James Zikes while working at FW Woolworth and they were married in July of 1954. Her husband’s job took them to over seven different cities over the years including Grand Rapids Michigan, Indianapolis Indiana, Shreveport Louisiana, St. Louis Missouri, and finally Overland Park Kansas.

While living in Chicago she was blessed with her first child, James Michael and soon while residing in Indianapolis, she was gifted again with her second son Richard Kenneth.

She was a loving sister, aunt, great aunt and friend to scores of cousins, nieces, great nieces, nephews, great nephews and siblings in both the Chicagoland area and scattered across the country.

A life-long bowler and a league secretary for over 30 years she was also active playing tennis, doing needle point and cross stitch.

She was an amazing mother devoted to her family and children. She was active in school functions and was the most incredible room mother ever dressing up as Santa and the Easter Bunny for parties. She loved children and making them laugh.

During the 1980’s Bernie decided to go back to work this time in the insurance industry at Horizon Underwriters and eventually as the tennis center desk manager at Leawood Country Club. The friends that she made at Leawood and interacting with their families brought her a great deal of joy she carried with her even after the club closed.

Bernie relished being an adopted Grandmother to Joshua, Alexander, Caitlynn and Braeden “B” and loved to go on road trips and attend school functions. Her Sunday night standing dinner invitation at their home was one of the highlights of her week.

She loved a good craft show and festival and nothing could keep her from her favorite past time of hitting the thrift stores for a bargain every Saturday.

Late in life Bernie battled multiple medical conditions like a champ all the while keeping the faith that she would improve. On July 10th, 2014 she gained her eternal life with her children by her side and has now become our newest guardian angel.

She loved fiercely and will be deeply missed by her family and friends!!

Do not stand at my grave and weep:

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glint on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the mornings hush,

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight,

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry:

I am not there I did not die.

Arrangements under the direction of McGilley & Hoge, Overland Park, KS.