Marsha Jean Hickman-Pike

Feb 8, 1949 -

Jan 3, 2025

Marsha Jean Hickman Pike died on Jan. 3, 2025, at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage. She was born in Baton Rouge, La., on Feb. 8, 1949, to Cecil Lamar Hickman and Johnnie Louise Efferson Hickman. The second of three daughters, she attended Delmont Elementary, Istrouma Junior High and Istrouma High School in Baton Rouge. She attended Louisiana State University after high school and received an associate degree from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La. While living in Fairbanks, she continued her education at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

On Aug. 3, 1968, she married Russell Gary Wendt whom she met when they were both attendants at her sister Judi's wedding. Russ was in the USAF and they were stationed in San Antonio, Texas; Valdosta, Ga.; Sacramento, Calif.; and Fairbanks. After their divorce, she worked for the Diocese of Fairbanks where she met the love of her life, William Anton "Bill" Pike. They married Aug. 8, 1992, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fairbanks and maintained their residence in Fairbanks until Bill's death in 2022. They enjoyed spending winters in Yuma, Ariz., and time at their condo in Hillsboro, Ore. After Bill's death, Marsha moved to Anchorage to live with her sister, Judi.

Marsha loved to play the piano and organ and served as church organist for Monte Sano Baptist Church in Baton Rouge for many years. She also played at various other churches over the years. She was a member of the Sleeping Lady Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.

Marsha had a beautiful smile and was wonderful at crocheting (especially for her grandchildren), crafting and scrapbooking. When in San Antonio, Marsha had great fun working at the 1968 World's Fair (Hemisfair). After that she worked at the UC Davis Medical Center Surgery Department and retired from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Marsha was predeceased by her parents, Johnnie and Lamar Hickman; and husband, William Anthon Pike; and is survived by sisters, Judith Hickman Dean of Anchorage and Jan Hickman Koellen of Baton Rouge; as well as niece, Lindsey Koellen Short of St. Louis, Mo. She is also survived by stepdaughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren: Cathy Hawkins and Morten Hansen of Mukiteo, Wash.; JeanneMarie and Patrick Weis (Kabrin, Kindi, Anyon, Rowan and Adonia) of Cornelius, Ore.; Sharon and John Chakuchin (David, Rachel, Daniel and Rosemary) of Bethel, as well as Julie and John Ellis (Tyler, Byron and Hunter), also of Bethel, and great-grandchildren, Evelyn Lind- Carlson and Anthony Montantes

A memorial service for Marsha will be held at the Monroe High School Chapel in Fairbanks, at 9:30 a.m. on June 21, 2025, followed by a reception and the internment of her ashes along with those of her dear husband Bill at Northern Lights Memorial Park, 2318 Yankovich Road in Fairbanks.