- Date Of Birth: May 4, 1929
- Date Of Death: August 16, 2016
- State: Idaho
Shirley Ann Bikkie of Moscow, affectionately called “Sam” by her husband James of over 64 years passed away Tuesday, August 16th, 2016 at Avalon Care Center in Pullman, WA at the age of 87. Shirley was born May 4th, 1929 in Brainerd, Minnesota to Clarence “Cax” and Dorothy Ann Gordon Grant. She grew up and attended school there, graduating from high school at Brainerd. She then enrolled at Macalester College in St. Paul, MN, graduating with her bachelor’s degree. She and James A. Bikkie eloped and were married on June 20, 1952 at Norfolk, VA where he was serving in the Navy. They lived at Portsmouth, VA before returning to Minnesota where Jim finished his degree. They also lived in Iowa, St. Paul, MN, Kansas, and Nebraska. In 1973 they moved to Moscow when Jim accepted a position as the University of Idaho. He became the department head of Vocational Education at U of I. Shirley was classy and dignified. Anytime family would gather she would put out her best tablecloth, use her best dishes and then by the end of the evening she would be challenging her grandkids to Nintendo matches or daughters to a game of cribbage. She was a voracious reader, and an avid bridge player. She and fellow bridge players held an annual competition with the proceeds being donated to the Moscow Public Library. She and Jim enjoyed traveling in their RV, camping and fishing all over Idaho, Washington, and Canada. Survivors include her husband, Jim, at their Moscow home, and daughters, Ann Redinger and Patty Kelpin. She also leaves her grandchildren James (Chelsea), Samantha (Joe), Christopher (Natalie), Casey (Maria), Chase (Kim), as well as seven great-grandchildren (Peter, Isabella, Annalea, Penelope, Maggie, Brock, and Brooklyn).
