Amanda "Mandy" Lynn Tikkanen Obituary (1990 - 2021)

Amanda Lynn Tikkanen, age 31, of Grand Rapids, passed away holding her living parents' hands on Sunday, September 5, 2021. Amanda "Mandy" fought hard to stay here, before succumbing to her injuries from a car accident a few days prior. She was born February 5, 1990, in Grand Rapids, to David Tikkanen and Christine (Connell) Hiaeshutter. On July 28, 2012, she gave birth to her son, Lucas James Schroeder; he has been the love of her life ever since. Mandy graduated from Forest Hills Central High School and attended Grand Rapids Community College before dedicating her working hours to Amway, Speedway and most recently, Amazon, as a fulfillment worker. During her short life, Mandy excelled in caring for those around her. She greeted everyone with big hugs, shared hearty belly laughs and was quick with a smile. Mandy sought to build others up in whatever way she could: a thoughtful gift, an act of service or goofy moment to lighten the mood. Mandy's big heart extended to animals throughout her life. She had a special connection with her family dogs and had a lifelong passion for horses. She was confident and joyful on horseback or in a barn. She expressed herself through art, be it painting pottery or any other craft. She loved to make things with the intention of giving them to someone she loved and the list of people she loved was very long. Mandy found joy in tubing on the lake, skiing, playing cards, making dance videos and doing any type of puzzle. Her passion for helping others and being useful was recognized by her employers and coworkers as well. She was diligent and took pride in her work. Mandy leaves behind her son, Lucas Schroeder, who was her greatest legacy. The love she had for Lucas was otherworldly and her family knows it certainly transcends this one. She also leaves behind her mother, Chris Hiaeshutter; her father, David (Kim) Tikkanen; her siblings, Jason (Stephanie) Hiaeshutter, Michelle (Curt) Beenen, Heather Cawthorne, and Kati (Steve) Regester; her nieces and nephews, Megan, Michael, Stephen, Makenzie, Kaden, Morgan, Tyler, Sierra, Connor, Leevi and Lucy; and her boyfriend, William Miller. Mandy is preceded in death by her stepfather, Steve Hiaeshutter and her grandparents, Helen and George Connell and Phyllis and Edward Tikkanen. It gives her family great solace to know that, in death, she was reunited with Steve, who she had been missing terribly since his passing in November, 2020. Her family knows, aside from being reunited with him, her Scottish grandmother was also at the ready to take her tightly into her heavenly arms. Mandy meant so much to many people and above all, Mandy reminded us all to be a little nicer and to see the beauty in those around us. Her impact on those around her is lasting. Her giving and loving nature continues in death as she was able to give the gift of life to many other families through organ donation. Her spirit will be honored on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at Holy Trinity Church, 1200 Alpine Church Rd NW, Comstock Park, MI, with gathering of family and friends at 10:00 a.m. and a memorial service at 11:00 a.m., followed by a luncheon. In sending condolences to the family, please also consider donating to the West Michigan branch of Ele's House https://www.elesplace.org/about/get-involved/donate who provide support to grieving children, including Mandy's nine-year-old son, Lucas. To send a message of sympathy or share a memory of this lovely young woman, her family asks you to please sign Mandy's online guest book by visiting: www.michigancremation.com