Brenda Fikes

1941 - 2026

Brenda Joyce Ramage Fikes, born on July 5th, 1941, Brenda was the eldest child of Andrew Jackson Ramage, JR and Allyne Hall Gardner Ramage in Birmingham, AL where she grew up. She graduated from Ensley High School and attended Birmingham Southern College where she met her one and only love, Alan L. Fikes. Alan was her lab teaching assistant in chemistry. It was a matter of good chemistry for the next 50 plus years. They were married at the Fairview Methodist Church in Birmingham on March 17, 1960. They celebrated 50 years of marriage with family on a cruise to Hawaii in 2010. She worked in various secretarial positions as the family was transferred around the country. Upon moving to Muscatine, IA in 1973 she began her favorite "job" by volunteering with the Musser Public Library. Brenda delivered books to shut-ins. She always said that "job" was the most fulfilling and satisfying because she could help others. She was also a longtime volunteer at Lutheran Homes in Muscatine conducting the current events program for nearly 30 years. She moved to Salt Lake City in 2016 just in time to celebrate her 75th birthday and to be closer to family and her grandkids. She resided at Spring Gardens where she called weekly bingo games and helped other residents during their field trips around the city. She was beloved for her spirit and Southern charm.

Among hobbies and pastimes, the couple enjoyed bridge, camping, fishing and following sports. She enjoyed gardening and sharing flowers with shut-ins, photography, embroidery and trivia. She was a die-hard Cubs fan and loved following Alabama and Iowa football. She volunteered for the Republican Party as Muscatine County GOP chairwoman. Later she participated in the Quad Cities Alzheimer Board and memory walk, helping to initiate the first Muscatine Memory Walk. After moving to Illinois City, she was active with the local Methodist Church. She enjoyed serving senior members by bringing communion and visiting the home bound. Above all else, her favorite role was a grandmother to her cherished grandchildren. She enjoyed watching them grow up and teaching them to bake cookies, make suet for birds and hosting sleep overs.

She is survived by son Tracey (Denise) Eagle Point, OR, daughter Terry (Cole) Salt Lake City, UT and grandchildren, Tyler Fikes, Connor Fikes, Caitlin Richards, Jonah Walters and Joy Walters. She is also survived by her brother Andrew Ramage III (Melinda) Tuscaloosa, AL. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Harry Ramage (Susan) Acworth, GA.

In lieu of flowers, Brenda requests memorials be made to the Musser Public Library - Home Delivery Service, PO Box 408, Muscatine, IA 52761. https://friendsofmusserlibrary.org/