Saying Goodbye to Tina

 Grandma Pikus and Tony

 Grandpa Pikus and Jason

 After Nick and Carmen's wedding in June, Tina, Ashley and Brianna headed to Germany for 4 weeks. While they were there, Tina's legs swelled and she started to have some abdominal pains. After there return to the United States, she was seen at an Instacare. They immediately sent her to the ER where she was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. The survival rate was very low, however they were very optimistic and hopeful. She had surgery the next day to take out her colon. She was able to go home after recovering in the hospital for 2 weeks only to be sent right back for more surgery due to infection. Once again, a two week recovery and back at home to continue the process. I was planning on going out for a visit about 2 weeks later when I received a call the next day that it would be too late. She was back in the hospital with liver failure due to the metastasis of the cancer. Another surgery would only prolong her life 2-3 weeks. She opted not to go with the surgery. So Mom, Dad, Shauna, Damond, Rob, Jared and myself flew into Colorado the next day to say our goodbyes. Noelle wished she could have been there and actually had a speaking engagement 1 week later in Colorado. Tina passed away 4 days later. She was in good spirits and looked forward to seeing her dad again in the next life. She loved the leg and hand massages Shauna and I would give her every day. She will be greatly missed! We love you Tina Pikus! Until we meet again...

 Dad always has a pocket full of candy to share with others

 Nick, Carmen, Tina, Myself

Kevin decided to have the celebration of Tina's life in Utah since that was where most of her friends and family lived. Both of her brothers were able to come from Germany although her mom was too sick to make it back. Kevin and Tina have only lived in Colorado for 2 years. The service was very well attended and people had the chance to get up and share their memories of her. It was a great way to celebrate her and the lives she touched.

OBITUARY

At age 51, Martina Erika Inge Pikus. Our loving Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister, and Friend passed away September 23, 2016 after a short courageous battle with cancer in Brighton, Colorado. Martina was born May 19, 1965 in Bremerhaven, Germany to Hannelore Wilkens and Hans-George Heinrich Alwin Von Der Lieth.

She married the love of her life, Kevin Lee Pikus, on January 10, 1991 while he was stationed in Bremerhaven, Germany during an Air Force assignment. She showed strength and determination to leave her loved ones behind in Germany and join her husband in America to start her new journey.

While raising their 3 children, Kevin (Nicholas), Ashley and Briana, she met many of her lifelong friends in Pleasant Grove, Utah. She will be remembered for the love she had for her family, her amazing cooking, interior decorating, cheerful demeanor, and beautiful red hair.

She is survived by her loving husband Kevin Lee, son Kevin Nicholas and two daughters Ashley Jordell and Briana Marica Pikus, her mother Hannelore Wilkens and 3 brothers, Hans-George (Bootsie), Andreas, and Juergen Von Der Lieth.

She is proceeded in death by her father Hans-George Heinrich Alwin Von Der Leith.

For all who knew and loved Tina, a Celebration of her Life memorial is scheduled for Wednesday, September 28, 2016.