Obituary of Alice Pauline Krikke

    Alice Pauline (Youngdahl) Krikke was born on November 28, 1936, in Ocheyedan, IA to Clifford and Dorothy (Boles) Youngdahl. She spent her youth in Ocheyedan chasing after her big brother, Harold, and playing in their livestock barn. She graduated from Ocheyedan High School in 1955. During high school and after graduation, she worked in Ocheyedan at the cafe and drug store before moving to Worthington, MN where she worked at a clothing store.

    On Thursday, March 23, 1961, Alice was united in marriage to the love of her life, Clarence Krikke, in Ocheyedan, IA. They resided on acreages near Ocheyedan before moving to their farm by Sanborn, IA where they would spend the rest of their married life together and raise their three children. Alice enjoyed life on the farm, tending to the animals and helping wherever needed.

    Following Clarence’s death in March of 2006, Alice stayed in her home on the farm until 2016, at which time she moved into the town of Sanborn. Due to medical issues, she became a resident of Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley, IA in March of 2022, where she peacefully passed away in the presence of her children on February 26, 2025.

    Alice was a member of the former First Presbyterian Church in Sanborn where she had served in various capacities. She enjoyed being a Sunday School and Bible School teacher and was a Deacon for many years.

    Alice enjoyed planting and maintaining a big vegetable garden each year. Flowers were also abundant on their farm and flourished under her care. She enjoyed reading and crafting and in her later years spent many an hour coloring beautiful posters for her walls. Animals were also a very important part of her life. It wasn’t uncommon to find an animal (wild or tame) in the house recuperating under her watchful eye. She had a special love for all of them.

    What brought Alice the most joy was her family. She dearly loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was proud of each and every one of them. She looked forward to their time spent together and enjoyed receiving new photos of them, and hearing about their lives and adventures. That love was returned to her by her grandchildren. While growing up, their favorite place to be was at Grandma’s house. She threw the best sleepovers and made the most delicious treats; there was always warmth and love in her home.

    Left to cherish each special memory are her children: Daryl (Jodi) Krikke, Linda (Joel) Gibbons all of Sanborn, IA, and Judy (Anthony) Smythe of Primghar, IA; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Jeremy (Jessica) Gibbons and their daughter, Everly of Harrisburg, SD, Brandon (Malorie) Krikke and their children: Bodhi and Aubree of Sibley, IA, Lindsey (Jon) Nieuwendorp of Ashton, IA, Trevor (Selena) Krikke and their children: Lincoln and Maeve of Sanborn, IA, Katie (Rick) Dykstra of Sioux Falls, SD, Whitney (Sean) Stettnichs and their children: Ryder and Evora of Rock Rapids, IA, Andrew Smythe of Hartley, IA, Adam (Cari) Smythe and their son, River of Sibley, IA, Nicholas (fiancée Jordyn) Smythe of Estherville, IA, Maxton Krikke and Maela Krikke both of Sanborn, IA; brother Harold (Mary Lou) Youngdahl of Milford, IA; sister-in-law, Martha Krikke of Sibley, IA; brother-in-law, Elmer Beltman of Sheldon, IA; many nieces, nephews and special friends.

    Waiting to welcome Alice to her eternal home were her husband, Clarence; her parents; grandparents; parents-in-law; brother-in-law, Jake (Lavera) Krikke; sister-in-law, Stella Beltman; many aunts, uncles and friends.