Obituary – Stephen A. Sickels
Stephen A. Sickels, son of Jimmy and Helen Sickels, was born on July 9, 1952, in Des Moines, Iowa. He grew up on a farm 3 miles North of Kellerton and graduated from Grand Valley Community School before moving to Mt. Ayr. He spent his life building connections with the people and community he loved.
Stephen dedicated over 50 years of his working life to Hy-Vee in Mt. Ayr. His years of service were a testament to his commitment and strong work ethic. He retired in August 2024 due to health issues.
Outside of work, Stephen enjoyed many things that brought him happiness. During his younger years, he enjoyed going on motorcycle rides with Steve Norris, Dayna and Jane riding on the back and driving his 1969 Mach 1 Mustang. He also enjoyed bowling and attending the Iowa State Fair with family, making memories and enjoying time together. Over the years, he shared his home with several beloved pets, which included his dogs Cocoa, Murphy and his last pet, JJ the cat.
In recent years, Stephen especially enjoyed his Monday nights at the Legion, where he collected money at the dances. It gave him the opportunity to meet new people each week and enjoy the company of others.
Summertime was another favorite time of year for Stephen. He loved hosting pool get-togethers with family and friends. One of the best sights was the smile on his face whenever family or friends showed up to swim and use the hot tub. Those gatherings created special memories filled with laughter, friendship, and time spent together.
Stephen will be remembered for his years of dedication to his job, his love of animals, his enjoyment of social gatherings, and the happiness he found in spending time with the people around him. He leaves behind many memories that will be cherished by those who knew and loved him.
Stephen passed away on October 27th, 2026. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jimmy and Helen Sickels.
He is survived by his sister, Jane Sickels-Minnick; his nephew, Josh Minnick; his great-niece, Audra Spainhower; and several cousins.
Stephen will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched throughout his years in the Mt. Ayr community.
Services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, November 1, 2026, at Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr with burial in the Rose Hill Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers were Rob Haley, Josh Minnick, Ron Sickels, Gordon Bradley, Kirk Golliday, Steve Lowman, Steve Norris. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations to be made in Stephen’s name.
