Mileva Nikcevic

Mileva Nikcevic, passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2025 in Sacramento, CA at the age of 91. She is survived by her twin daughters, Mira and Mirjana (Jeff), granddaughter, Milena (Kory), and great-grandson, Eli. She was preceded in death by her husband, Obren, brother, Jovan, and sisters, Olga, Draga, and Vanja. She leaves behind a large family in Montenegro, extended family in the United States, kumovi, and many friends.

Mileva was born on February 18, 1934 in Niksic, Montenegro to Very Reverend Savo and Joka Kustudic. She was the third of five children. Mileva immigrated to the United States in 1955 and spent two years in school learning English. She lived with her aunt and uncle in Los Angeles and was proud to land her first job working in the jewelry department at the May Company. In 1960, after hard study and serious preparation, Mileva became a naturalized citizen of the United States. In 1961, she met her soon-to-be-husband Obren at a church function, and they were married in February 1962.

After the sudden death of her husband in 1972, Mileva raised her daughters as a single mother. She worked at the Sacramento International Airport as a Security Checkpoint Supervisor for several years before accepting a job working in the State Capitol for the California Legislature as an X-ray Technician where she was responsible for the processing of thousands of packages entering the Capitol Building and assuring their safety. She retired in 1998.

Being raised in the Serbian Orthodox faith, she was an active member in the church, Kolo of Serbian Sisters (KSS), St. Sava Children’s Camp, and St. Sava Mission Foundation. She volunteered in countless church activities, including bake sales, where she was always complimented for her delicious priganice. She loved her Serbian community, and her strong faith and high integrity, which matched with her quick wit and playful humor captivated everyone who knew her. She was an exceptional person, cook, baker, seamstress, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.

The family wishes to extend their sincere and heartfelt appreciation to the wonderful staff at Mercy McMahon Terrace for the exceptional care they provided Mileva during the last three years.

A prayer service (Pomen) will take place on Monday, April 21, 2025 at 6 p.m. at Nicoletti, Culjis & Herberger Funeral Home, 5401 Folsom Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95819. The funeral service will take place on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 1 p.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 724 North Main Street, Jackson, CA 95642. A graveside service will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations are kindly asked to be made in Mileva's memory to Mercy McMahon Terrace, 3865 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95816, or the St. Sava Mission Foundation Roof Fundraiser, P.O. Box 252, Jackson, CA 95642.

May we remember the many ways Mileva touched our lives as her spirit lives on in our memories.

Memory Eternal.