Lee Wikkerink

Lee Wikkerink, 88, of St. Petersburg, Florida peacefully completed his life’s journey at home on September 9th, 2021. He had been declining in health in recent years and had been unable to walk since January 2020. Lee was born on February 19, 1933 to Lance and Molly Wikkerink in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is survived by Lydia - his cherished wife and companion of almost 63 years, his daughters and sons-in-law Glenda & Karl of Charleston, SC, Lori & Alfred Freniere of Urbana, Ohio and Robert Bedard of West Bend, WI. He has three grandchildren: Kollin Horn, of Goose Creek, SC; Forrest Bedard of Urbana, Ohio and Michaela Bedard of Seoul, South Korea. He is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and distant relatives in the US and the Netherlands. Lee also is survived by business friends, former staff and personal friends who he cared so much about and who had an important role in Lee’s life. Lee was preceded in death by his sisters Betty Andritsch and June Chernos. Lee served in the Army at the end of the Korean war. The majority of his life was dedicated to the automatic door industry. He founded Wikk Industries, Inc. in 1980, with Lydia working by his side. Lee had a curious mind, enjoyed inventing, problem-solving, and working with his hands and machines. This was, in essence, his vocation. While so engaged, he created countless logical solutions to cumbersome problems. Lee was a rather direct gentleman, not prone to chatter or fluff, who expected others to conduct themselves in a forthright, no-nonsense manner, too. He assumed his colleagues and staff understood the knowledge and concepts that came so effortlessly to him and was impatient when they didn’t. He had strong opinions, was focused on whatever he was doing and driven to make goals and achieve them. This was the bane of his last months; that his life had no more purpose. His favorite home was in Door County, Wisconsin. Later in life he and Lydia were snowbirds for many years until they finally became Florida residents. He had workshops in Door County and Florida and spent many hours crafting useful mechanical or decorative devices. His daughters are so grateful for all they learned and absorbed from him. He was an inspiration to many people who sought his logical approach to mechanical problems or life situations. Lee was an entrepreneur in life, whether it was in business or embracing new technologies like solar power for the home and electric vehicles, in particular Tesla’s technologies. Lee’s wishes were to have a direct cremation. At this time there will not be any services. The family will always be very grateful to the Orange Team at Suncoast Hospice of Pinellas County and to the personal ministrations given by Heart Filled Hands Home Care, LLC. They took superb, loving care protecting, comforting and ministering to Lee, Lydia, Glenda and Lori during his final months of life.