Hilda W. Kikta

Hilda Guy Wargoe Kikta passed from this life January 4, 2025, in Tallahassee, Florida, surrounded by family having suffered a stroke 2 weeks earlier. She was 99 years old. Hilda was born in Merrittstown, Pennsylvania, to Joseph Frank and Anna Elizabeth Miller Wargoe, where she grew up the youngest of six children. Hilda met the love of her life, Stephen Edwin Kikta, Sr., at a Mushball game. The two were married for almost 60 years, calling their relationship “Mushball Love”. Early in their marriage, they moved to South Florida, settling in Virginia Gardens, Florida, where they raised their 5 children as well as a niece. They also took in a nephew after his high school graduation. After retirement, they toured the country visiting most of the states in the continental United States and all of the major National Parks, Canada, and Mexico. Then, they settled in Lake City, Florida in a house they designed. Over the years, they often took others in need into their home. In her youth, Hilda was a tennis player, ice skater, and dancer, especially tap dance. As an adult, she loved fishing and working crossword puzzles. She worked at a pharmacy lunch counter and ran the kitchen at a Dairy Queen. She was a self-taught cook, with her specialties being loved by her entire family, and no one ever seemed to be able to duplicate them. After her husband passed away, she continued to enjoy traveling with family members, including internationally. She also enjoyed crafts, particularly crocheting. As the family grew, she busied herself making Christmas stockings and afghans for family members, especially the young ones. In her later years, she enjoyed BINGO and throwing darts, even though she had become legally blind! She was a devout Catholic throughout her adult life. Hilda was preceded in death by her parents; siblings Ester Bell, Juanita Petratus, Joseph Wargoe, Stewart Wargoe, and Benjamin Curtis Wargoe; her husband; daughters-in-law Isabel Kikta, Darlene Barkley, and Dawney Kikta; sons-in-law Steven Smith, Sr. and W. Gerald (Jerry) Jackson; great grandson Zachary James Williams; and the nephew she took in Gregory Baran, and other beloved family members. She is survived by her children Stephen Edwin Kikta, Jr. (Regilean Susan Deans Kikta), Gloria Jean Kikta Smith, Dianne Catherine Kikta, John Steven Kikta, Sr., and Joseph Francis Kikta, Jeffrey Butirro – a very special friend to the family and a caregiver to Hilda, the niece she raised Marlene Dawn Petratus Coppinger (James Paul Coppinger, Sr.), many other nieces and nephews, 27 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren (plus 1 on the way), and 1 great-great grandson. She was a testament to a life well lived. A Rosary will be said for Hilda at 10:30 AM, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM, on Saturday May 10, 2025, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Tallahassee, Florida. Following the Funeral Mass, there will be a reception and Celebration of Life in the Parish Community Center. Interment will occur at a future date in Acklin Cemetery, Brownsville, Pennsylvania.

Hilda W. Kikta

December 8, 1925 - January 4, 2025