Christina (Chris) Wykoff

Christina (Chris) Wykoff was born on June 18, 1957, to Bob and Ruth (Nelson) Wykoff and her big brother John. She passed away on December 4, 2025, in Grand Island. 
Chris’s wish was to be cremated, and inurnment will be in the Aurora Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at a later time. Condolences may be sent to the family through the mortuary website at www.higbymortuary.com.
Christina (Chris) Wykoff was born on June 18, 1957, to Bob and Ruth (Nelson) Wykoff and her big brother John. She passed away on December 4, 2025, in Grand Island, at the age of 68. 
As a young girl, her family moved to Aurora to be nearer to Ruth’s family. Chris attended Aurora Public Schools, graduating in 1975. She then attended Doane College in Crete, attaining a degree in elementary education. She later achieved a master’s degree. 
Chris’s teaching career began and ended in Grand Island at Jefferson Elementary. She served the Grand Island Public Schools at Jefferson until her retirement in May of 2014. She loved her students and often shared stories about “her kids” and her classroom. She especially loved the annual trip to the capitol in Lincoln with her 4 th graders. When her declining health required her retirement, she missed Jefferson terribly.
Chris became active in the Grand Island Little Theater in the 1980s. She wore many hats during her time with the group: acting, serving on the Board of Directors, doing make-up, and even painting sets. She made many cherished friends during her time with GILT. 
A quick look at Chris’s Facebook page proves her love of cats. Her home always had a cat or two, and these pets were such an important part of her life. For many years her kitty companions were Kira and Pookie, whom she adopted from a fellow teacher. When they were both gone, she adopted Hannah and Coooper who have shared her life for the past 15 years. 
As a young girl Chris lost both her father and older brother John. She and her mother formed a wonderful friendship as Chris grew up. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Chris loved gardening, especially flowers. They had an annual spring outing to local (and sometimes not so local) nurseries. She spent many hours helping her mom in her garden and grew lovely flowers at her own home. The greatest challenge Chris faced came in 2017 when she lost her mother. She missed her terribly and would often share with friends how sad and lonely life was without her. 
Those left to remember Chris are her cousin, Mike (Gail) Nelson and their family, former colleagues and students at Jefferson, “adopted” families, and many friends.