University of Michigan

Sikkengas showcase their trust in Michigan

Bill Sikkenga and Sheila Strang met in their freshmen English class in Angell Hall. Each had grown up hearing about the University of Michigan. The University of Michigan had lured Sheila’s father, a skilled tool-and-die maker, to Ann Arbor from Windsor, Ontario to work on the Ford Nuclear Reactor in what is now the Phoenix Memorial Lab. Bill’s father had played Michigan football and earned degrees from the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (AB ’32) and the Law School (LLB ’39).

Now, Sheila was in the classroom herself, going on to become the first in her family to earn a college degree (ABED ’61). Bill earned degrees in business (BBA ’61) and law (JD ’66).

Such strong U-M connections would have been more than enough to explain their deep affection for the University and their decision to establish a charitable remainder trust (CRT), especially given that all three of their children went on to earn U-M degrees.

But why did they choose to earmark their gift for Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, the Clements Library, and the Michigan League, and why did they decide to do this now?

“In these places, people use their educations to create special, outside-the-classroom opportunities for the public and the university,” Bill explains. When the Sikkenga’s children were small, the family spent hours in the beautiful outdoor settings of the Botanical Gardens and Arboretum. Bill delights in the unique, important features of the Arb and Gardens, saying, “Did you know that the oldest growth forest in southeast Michigan is in Matthaei right next to the golf course?”

Bill served for seven years on the Matthaei Friends Board, including terms as vice chair and chair. He chaired Matthaei by Moonlight fundraisers (with Sheila’s invaluable behind-the-scenes help, Bill adds) and together they chaired the Arboretum’s Centennial Celebration. Sheila was a founder of the Friends of the Michigan League and chaired the League’s Board of Governors, remembering how the League offered a safe, comfortable student home away from home for her between classes. A long-time history buff, Bill immerses himself in historical documents at the Clements Library.

“People deserve to experience these places into the future,” Sheila says, and they wanted to help make that possible. For the Sikkengas, a CRT was the right choice, rather than simply including U of M in their wills.

“We’re getting so much satisfaction from seeing how much this gift means to the Gardens, the League, and the Clements,” Bill says.

A charitable remainder trust provides the tax, income, and philanthropic benefits of the donor receiving a tax deduction now, avoiding capital gains taxes on any appreciated securities that fund the trust, and receiving an income stream from the trust for the rest of his or her life. To make a difference in a Michigan program that you’re passionate about, please contact the e-mailU-M Office of Gift Planning by e-mail , or by phone at 734-615-2022, or toll-free, 866-233-6661.