Ikse and I first met at the open house/first practice for the fencing team at UW - Madison. We were both newbies, and had no idea what was going on. After hearing the descriptions of the different weapon types, we both gravitated towards foil and ended up in the same group. I remember my first impression was that they were an international student--their unusual name, very blonde hair, and somewhat shy demeanor (at first) really had me fooled at the start! I laugh about it now, but that just goes to show how a first impression can be totally off. Once we got to talking and working together, I learned a lot more about them and my whole initial perception completely shifted until we became close friends.
0
Thank you for livestreaming Ikse's memorial so I could watch from CA. It was both heartbreaking and inspirational. I hope to live the rest of my life with even a small fraction of Ikse's courage, joie de vivre, generosity and love. And the example of her friends and extended family was beautiful and heartening. May we all endeavor to repair the world and savor its beauty.
0
Thank you for sharing Ikse's ceremony virtually today. My heart is with Ikse's family, friends and the Voyageurs community. I will forever cherish the summer we shared at Voyageurs in 2015.
0
2016, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
Ikse, Victoria, and Ruby fencing competition at Brown University
— with
Victoria Petersen
and Ruby Yang
0
Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota, USA
0
2016, Fencing Tournament, specific location unknown
Victoria and Ikse, having a funny selfie moment between at a fencing tournament
— with
Victoria Petersen
0
2015, Fencing Tournament, specific location unknown
Victoria and Ikse, having a cute/funny moment between fencing bouts
— with
Victoria Petersen
0
Ikse and I met on the fencing team at UW Madison, and became friends as we both fenced the same weapon, foil. I think we really bonded through this activity, because of the number of trips and tournaments we went on. We always were hotel roommates, and stayed close at the tournaments as we both tended to feel overwhelmed by the crowds at these events. We also bonded because we shared some similar struggles and frugal values--the classic "poor college student" vibe was strong with us! So while the rest of the team frequently would try to go out to nice restaurants to eat together, Ikse and I would often excuse ourselves in favor of a more affordable option. One time in particular I remember we were away at a tournament, in a hotel with a small kitchenette. We had the genius idea to MAKE dinner instead of going out to buy dinner. As our ancestors before us, we walked uphill both ways in knee deep snow to get to the nearest grocery store--a 20 min walk made worse by the cold and snow which we did not have boots or the right pants for. But we made it, bought some spaghetti noodles and frozen veggies, and pasta sauce, and trudged our way back to the hotel. As we made our tiny dinner (which we bought for under $20 total), we were exhausted and cold, but so proud that we had resisted the urge to spend money on eating out that we didn't have. In many ways, it was such a small thing to make spaghetti in a hotel kitchenette, but I will always remember this adventure because frankly, we probably spent a lot more energy on this endeavor than we should have. But, when you're a poor college student, you do what you gotta do!
When I think of Ikse, there are so many ways that I realize they've affected my life. I think of my time in college and how many wonderful memories we had on trips and at tournaments. I think of our frugal college struggles, and all the funny times we tried to be cheap together. I think of them just about every time I exercise or go to the gym, as Ikse was my self-proclaimed personal trainer as we prepped for fencing . I remember so well so many of the tips and things I learned about weight lifting and caring for myself, and many of their teachings circle around in my head to this day! Whenever I hike or spend time in nature, I think of Ikse and what I could have learned from them. As I've gotten into birding as a hobby, I imagine sharing it with Ikse and just enjoying observing the natural world together. Ikse was even in my wedding party, as someone I considered a best friend during a pivotal part of my life. There are so many small ways that Ikse still lives on in my life, and I will always be grateful for the time I got to spend with them. Even if it was shorter than it should have been. Farewell my dear friend, and may your memory be a blessing to others as it has been to me.
1
The times we spent together were very few, fleeting. They were, though, filled with the joy of play. We met each other on the ultimate frisbee field, at a game I shared more with Paul. In this sport of ours, we refer to “the spirit of the game”, what I recall of Jenna/Ikse is that lived that. I did not know her off the field but will hold my little memories tightly.
0
Share with others
Donate in memory
