Lydia A. Wikkerink

Lydia A. Wikkerink (nee Ruzicka) 94, of St. Petersburg, Florida completed her life journey on July 1, 2025 with the loving assistance of her daughters, especially Glenda who was at her side. Lydia was very strong even in her later years, and folks were often surprised to learn she was much older than she looked. However, last year Hurricane Helene flooded her home and she was forced to move to independent living, missing the comfortable home and water view she had enjoyed for so many years.

Lydia was born January 19, 1931 to Frank and Josephine Ruzicka in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law Glenda & Karl Horn of Cross, SC, Lori Bedard & Alfred Freniere of Urbana, OH and Robert Bedard of West Bend, WI.

Lydia has 3 grandchildren: Kollin Horn of Pinopolis, SC, Forrest Bedard of Urbana, OH and Michaela Bedard of Seoul, South Korea.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Lee, who died in 2021. They were married for nearly 63 years. Lydia is further survived by her sister Martha Urban, and numerous nieces, nephews, and acquaintances. Lydia was preceded in death by her brother Frank (Tillie) Ruzicka and sisters Helen Ruzicka, Mildred (John) Boehm, Marie (Whitey) Erdmann, Lilian (Peter) Kulesha and Libby Berg.

As a young adult, Lydia and her friend June Wikkerink worked as waitresses for the Thorpe resort in Fish Creek WI, during the summer months, and at the Sunset Hotel and Resort on Central Avenue in St. Petersburg, FL. While in Florida, June's brother Lee came to visit, and upon meeting Lydia, Lee told his best friend that he would marry her one day. However, this did not take place immediately.

Lydia was briefly married in Florida, and returned to her family in Wisconsin when her daughter Glenda was a baby. Eventually Lee and Lydia were reunited and married in 1958 and Lee adopted Glenda, who was 5 years old. In 1961 they welcomed daughter Lori, and their family was complete.

Lydia and her husband Lee worked together on many, many home improvement, construction and business projects throughout the years, and she bore a few scars from it. They especially loved their cottage in Door County, WI. They were snowbirds for 20+ years until they eventually became Florida residents.

In her early family life, Lydia loved demonstrating small appliances at Gimbel’s Department Store in Milwaukee during the Christmas holiday season. Always a domestic lady, Lydia was renowned for her excellent cooking and baking skills, utilizing both old and new recipes. She and Lee enjoyed many years inviting dinner guests to their home, participating in small group dinners and dining out. Christmas was a major event, with many different cookie, candy and appetizers. They loved hosting a Christmas Open House which both sides of their relatives attended.

Lydia was a curious gal who liked trying new things. She went through seasons of monthly craft kits, making pickles, wine and jams. As the grandchildren came along she was dedicated to her and Lee giving them many experiences. She also enjoyed perusing thrift stores and yard sales. She found many useful items for the grandkids and they always had an abundance.

In her later years, Lydia came upon 'Butter Bells' which she and Lee liked using. She liked them so much that she would hunt for them at thrift stores and yard sales, and give 2 of them, including a copy of instructions, to people she thought would appreciate them. She found more than 100 butter bells over the years. Lydia also liked seeing the other shoppers and staff who worked at the thrift shops.

Lydia was very much a list-maker, from topics she wanted to discuss with family, friends and relatives, to how many rocks she collected from the shore and cleaned with a wire wheel for Lee's stone fireplace and exterior walls of the cottage. She kept lists of what was served at dinners with company and open houses. She even kept track of how many mice and chipmunks they caught in traps at the cottage, to reduce the damage they caused to their garden.

Lydia's wishes were to have a direct cremation. There will not be any services. The family is grateful for the care of Suncoast Hospice of Pinellas County and the personal care given by Heart Filled Hands Home Care, LLC. Lydia’s Assisted Living community, Wentworth on Central Avenue, gave her compassionate care, and Lydia’s family will always remember how incredibly caring Dr. Nilam Shah was as her primary doctor for the last many years.