SAMUEL CHRIS SICKELS

    Samuel Chris Sickels, best known as Sam, was surrounded by his family when he passed peacefully from this life into the arms of Jesus on Friday, August 3, 2012 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. He was born to Rex and Mildred Sickels on October 9, 1928 at the family farm near Kellerton.
    Sam’s boyhood was spent helping his father on the family farm in Ringgold county. As a young boy he was baptized at the Christian Church in Delphos. He attended local country schools. While attending Mount Ayr high school he enjoyed driving a school bus for the district. Sam graduated from Mount Ayr high school in 1948.
    He served his country during the Korean Conflict from February 1951 to February 1953 in the United States Army. He was stationed at Kempo Airfield in South Korea as a radio operator.
    On August 9, 1953 Sam was united in marriage to Evelyn Brown of Mount Ayr. They are very honored to celebrate their 59th anniversary together today with many family members and friends to keep their memories alive. They were blessed with three daughters, Vicki Lynn, Debra Kay and Christi Lavon.
    Sam chose farming as his occupation. He loved nature and God’s world. Great pride was put into his farming. He thoroughly enjoyed his livestock, clean farm fields and high yields of crops. Sam wanted to leave the land he farmed better than when he started. He had a strong belief that man was just a steward of the land.
    Grandson Nicholas and Sam had the privilege and enjoyment to farm together for several years. Together they baled hay, combined crops and other farm jobs. There were times grandson Jason and other grandchildren enjoyed helping their grandfather on the farm. Sam was a gentle, kind, understanding and honest man. He was a good husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His family was always a priority for him. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Sam always took time to take them to the farm ponds to fish, on tractor rides or four-wheeling, checking the cattle to see if they had plenty of feed and water. Sam and Evelyn always enjoyed going to the girls’ and grandchildren’s activities. His favorite pastime was to set in the truck with little Sam to watch Nicholas farm.
    Sam was a member of the Mount Ayr United Baptist Presbyterian Church for many years. He was a member of the Mount Ayr American Legion Post #172.         Sam worked for Bastow Feed and Grain in Mount Ayr as an outside Purina salesman. He also worked for the Soil Conservation Service office for many years. Sam was well known and respected for his honesty. He was a man of strong character and integrity. He had a very unique sense of humor. Sam always enjoyed a good laugh and loved to tell a good joke. Sam enjoyed morning coffee with his friends in town.
    Good memories for Sam and Evelyn were vacations, camping out with the family, playing cards with the neighbors, listening and dancing to country western music. Sam could fix anything with a pair of pliers, a wrench and silver duct tape.
    Sam is survived by his wonderful wife Evelyn of Mount Ayr; daughters Vicki Sickels  and Terry Anderson of Red Oak, Debbie Sickels of Corning, and Christi (Tyson) Sederburg of Stanton; seven grandchildren Nicholas Foltz of Mount Ayr, Lindsay (Jason) Taylor of Prairie Village, Kansas, Cassie (Matthew) Hudson of Mount Ayr, Jason (Katie) Sickels of Red Oak, Samantha, Sara and Wyatt Sederburg of Stanton; two great grandchildren Samuel Hudson of Mount Ayr and Davis Taylor of Prairie Village, Kansas; brother John (Juanita) Sickels of Mount Ayr; sisters Belle (Bob) Guthland of Independence MO, Shirley Karr of Mount Ayr, Kay (Clifford) Mosier of Littleton, CO, Martha (Robert) Palmer of Decatur, IL; sisters-in-law Merylin Sickels of Easton, MO, Bertha Jezek of Diagonal, Doris Overholser of Mount Ayr, Janis Sobotka of Ames, and Donna Sickels of Mount Ayr; brother-in-law Junior Brown of Mount Ayr; along with many nieces and nephews and long-time friends and neighbors.
    Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Rex and Mildred Sickels; father-in-law Vern Brown; mother-in-law Beatrice Brown; sister Dorthy and brother-in-law Richard Mosier of Denver, CO and brother Leland Sickels of Easton, MO.
    A memorial fund has been established in his name to be decided later. Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr is in charge of the arrangements.
    Services will be held at the United Baptist-Presbyterian Church in  Mount Ayr at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 9, with the Rev. Mike Maddy officiating.
    Musicians were Nancy Sackett, Mary Davenport and Margaret Bickers. Songs were ‘ How Great Thou Art,’ ‘ What A Friend We Have In Jesus’ and ‘Daddy’s Hands.’
    Casketbearers were Nick Foltz,                             Jason Sickels, Matthew Hudson, Tyson Sederburg, John Campbell,                 Terry Anderson, Bill Sickels and               Jason Taylor.
    Honorary pallbearers were John Sickels, Wyatt Sederburg, Jerry Sickels, Jeff Sickels, Eric Fell, Bob Buck, Matt Routh, Dan Cunning, Myron Ingram,   Dustin Wiley, Jay Meester and Bill Stull.  
    Military rites were provided by the Ringgold Post #172 Iowa Honor Guard Unit.
    Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Ayr.