Jenny M. Sikula

Jenny Sikula, 96, of Washington, and former long-time resident of Polo, IL, passed away peacefully at 9:13 am on Sunday, May 8, 2016, at her residence, Supportive Living of Washington. Jenny was born on February 28, 1920, in Lustivere, Estonia, to Karl and Marta Rissmann. She married Osvald Laumets on December 19, 1940, in Estonia. Osvald was conscripted into the Russian Army in 1941 and died shortly thereafter, a fact unknown to Jenny until after World War II had ended in 1945. In October 1944, aided by the Germans when they lost their occupation of Estonia to Russia, Jenny, along with her mother and daughter, Kullike Laumets, escaped to Germany and lived in three displaced persons camps during and after the War. While in Germany, Jenny met Emil Sikula, also a displaced person from his homeland of Czechoslovakia, and they were married on October 16, 1948. Forever grateful for the opportunity to start a new life in the United States, Jenny, Emil, and Kullike arrived in Polo, IL, on April 4, 1950, having been sponsored by St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, who had months earlier also sponsored Jenny’s mother, sister, her husband, and their daughter. In Polo, Jenny worked at Ramp Quality Egg Farm for 13 years, first candling eggs and later as an office employee. She then worked as a secretary at Polo Motor Company for 21 years, retiring in 1984. Jenny and Emil moved to Supportive Living of Washington in August 2008, where Jenny quickly became one of their most active participants and best ambassadors. She is survived by her four children, Kullike Adams of Loudon, TN, Harry (Romelle) Sikula of Dixon, IL,Tina (Kim) Arnett of Washington, IL, and Eric Sikula of Peoria, IL; six grandchildren, Erika Adams of Shelby Township, MI, Matthew (Cindy) Adams of Manheim, PA, April Lind of Antioch, IL, Nick Sikula of Dixon, IL, David Arnett of Arlington, VA, and Michael Arnett of Beavercreek, OH; six great-grandchildren; niece, Karin (Stephen) Dains of Lathrup Village, MI; and nephew, Peter (Linda) Aabram of Parker, CO. In addition to her parents, Jenny was preceded in death by her husband, Emil; sister, Vaike; and son-in-law, Edward Adams. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, May 10, at Deiters Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Cremation rites will be accorded following the service, and inurnment will be at Fairmount Cemetery in Polo at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Supportive Living of Washington or St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Polo.

Jenny M. Sikula

February 28, 1920 - May 8, 2016