Sylvia G. Likness

Sylvia Likness, 100, of Wahpeton, North Dakota, passed away Friday, January 12, 2024, at Sienna Court in Wahpeton.  Her memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 4, 2024, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Wahpeton.  There will be a visitation one hour prior.  René Hasbargen will officiate the service.  Burial will be at a later date.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton.

Sylvia Genevieve Hektner was born on October 16, 1923, to Joseph and Mabel (Huss) Hektner in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.  She was raised on a farm near Mooreton, ND, and attended school in Wahpeton, where she graduated in 1941.  She went on to get her teaching degree from Moorhead State University in 1943 and later obtained her bachelor’s degree in 1970 from UND.  Sylvia was an elementary school teacher for 3 years in Elbow Lake, MN, 1 year in Fergus Falls, MN, 11 years in Gwinner, ND, and 10 years in Milnor, ND. 

On December 25, 1946, Sylvia Married Carleton Likness.  They moved to Milnor, ND, in 1947, where they lived for 41 years until they moved to Wahpeton in 1988.  Sylvia and Carl loved to travel, and was able to make it to all 50 states, often pulling a camper cross country, and sometimes with their children along.  They took many trips out of the country until 2007, when they made their last trip to Greece. 

Sylvia loved sewing, knitting, painting, making greeting cards, playing bridge, crosswords, and most of all quilting.  She made over 100 quilts herself and many more with the church quilting group.  Sylvia was very active with Church, Ladies Circle, Literary Club, Women’s Legion Auxiliary, and of course her bridge clubs through the years. 

Sylvia is survived by her daughter, Cindy (Greg) Nelson; grandchildren, Chelsey (Ryan) Hauck, Jaden (Carissa) Cuypers, Serrianna (Peter) Lindeman, Christopher Likness; daughter-in-law, Dorothy Likness; brother-in-law, Al Ekre; and great-grandchildren, Brea, Ayden, Chase, Gemma, Jaxton, and Ella Hauck, and Jora, Vaida, and Ezra Cuypers.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Mabel; husband, Carleton; sons, Greg and Cory; sisters, Inez Ekre, Jeanette (Mark) Radig; and brothers, Vernon (Leona) Hektner, and Don (Ann) Hektner.

Full obituary to follow.