Ina Fike was born Ina Ditmars on November 1, 1927, and was raised with eleven siblings on a farm near Washington, Kansas. She met Elmer Fike at McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas, and they married in 1954. As a newly married couple, they lived in Brigham City, Utah, and Albuquerque, New Mexico, where their children, Rita (Fike) Cullison and Gary Fike, were born.
Ina lovingly raised her children in their home in Flagstaff, AZ, and later near her childhood home in Washington, KS.
Gary married Jill Olson in 1997, and they delighted Ina with two grandchildren, Ezra (now 24) and Linnea (now 20). In 2001, Ina, Elmer, Gary, Jill, Ezra, and Linnea moved to adjoining farms near Willow Springs, Missouri. There, Ina was able to focus her vast energy on her flowers, quilting, and grandchildren.
In 2014, Ina suffered an enormous loss with the passing of her son, Gary. Ultimately, this tragic event strengthened her faith and cemented her belief in a real Heaven. It also led to a move to her last physical home to a farm near Mountain View, Missouri, with Rita, Elmer, and later, Son in Law Brad.
During these final years of her life, Ina honed her skills as a master quilter, creating incredible works of art that were largely hand-sewn. She delighted in riding the side by side to visit her grand cows and knew them by name. She even kept a log of the names and birthdays of each calf born on the farm. She also loved reading, working on puzzles, and gardening.
She was beloved by her family and by many who knew her, and remember her as a kind, gentle, and creative spirit.
A memorial is planned for Spring 2023, with an accompanying quilt show featuring Ina’s work. Arrangements were under the direction of Yarber Mortuary, Mountain View, Missouri. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.
