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Debra L. Sickels

1952 - 2016

Debra L. Sickels obituary, 1952-2016, Iowa City, IA

BORN

1952

DIED

2016

FUNERAL HOME

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service - Iowa City

2720 Muscatine Avenue

Iowa City, Iowa

Debra Sickels Obituary

Debra L. Sickels, 63

Debra L. Sickels, 63, of Iowa City, died Thursday, August 4, 2016.

Funeral services will be held at 10 am Tuesday, August 9, 2016, at Parkview Evangelical Free Church in Iowa City, with burial to follow at the Silver Creek Cemetery near Ryan, Iowa. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 pm Monday at the church. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in her memory. To share a thought, memory or a condolence for Deb's family please go to the funeral home website at www.gayandciha.com.

Debra Lea Schmidt was born November 17, 1952, in Anamosa, Iowa the daughter of Richard and Verna (Westphal) Schmidt. She attended schools in Anamosa, graduating from Anamosa High School with the Class of 1971. The following year on June 9, 1972 she was united in marriage to Kennith E. Sickels Jr. at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Anamosa. The couple has lived in a number of cities including Bettendorf, Iowa, two years in California, and six years in Cedar Falls before moving to Iowa City in 1996. She loved being mother and a very supportive wife for many years, raising their three children and caring for her family. In addition to this she enjoyed working for a number of companies through the years, American Color in Cedar Falls, Pearson Education and HyVee (Waterfront Store) both in Iowa City.

Deb focused her energies on caring for people she loved. First, her husband (who needed a lot of help!!) and then making the smooth transition to her three children, spending hundreds of hours working with them making sure they got a strong foundation for their education. But her favorite role was to be devoted to her grandchildren whom she loved (and spoiled) just like a "Nana" should. For the last 40 years she has had a love affair with the Iowa Hawkeyes. She was a lifetime cheerleader, for her school, her kids, and finally her grandkids.

Her family includes her husband, Ken; their daughters, Nicole Ranstrom (Kristian) of Ft. Collins, CO; and Lindsay Kravtsova (Andriy) of Kiev, Ukraine; daughter-in-law, Jamie Sickels of Iowa City; grandchildren, Merek, Ani, Norah, Soren, Keira, Leah, Nikita, Noah and Eli; Deb's mother, Verna Parham; and Deb's brother, Mike Schmidt (Kathy).

She was preceded in death by her son, Eric; nephew, Jay; father, Richard; and her in-laws, Kennith and Vera Sickels.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by the Iowa City Press-Citizen from Aug. 6 to Aug. 8, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Debra Sickels

Sponsored by Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service - Iowa City.

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4 Entries

Joy Ellison

August 30, 2016

Ken, I am so sad to hear of Deb's passing. 42 years since Bettendorf middle school. You are in my thoughts and prayers, Joy Ellison

August 16, 2016

Ken, I can't make this short.
I am sorry for your loss with Deb's passing. She was the joy of your life and your children.

I'll blather a bit. When I was early in my tech support days Deb was in Accounting. She had a password problem with their secret server access. I helped her out, but while I did she was laughing. I asked what's up and she told me she got a funny email from her brother-in-law who was in the Navy did I want to see it? I said sure, I wasn't the email police. It was a cartoon picture of a sailor peeing into the ocean. I don't remember the caption, but it was funny.
Later, when she was in State Assessments, I helped her out a few times. Always sweet, always smiling no matter what the problem was. I told her I was in the NCS golf league with you and Cutler. She said something like yeah, he's a golfer.
I was laid off in 2011. A few years ago I saw her as a checkout gal at my South Hy-Vee. I stood in her lane, however long it was, just to talk to her. I knew her, of course, but I didn't expect her to remember me. But she did! I asked her how she was doing, and I asked after you. Things were great. She was so happy! Folks like high school sweethearts (lead cheerleader and star quarterback) don't come along very often.
One time in her line I asked what was up. She said you were enjoying your anniversary. She was glowing! It was on the day or a few days before or after I'm not sure. I wished you both well. I always asked after you. Back problems?
The next time I saw her there we chatted and then she said you were retired. I saw you in Target, and you were nervous about my hug. I said to her I bet he's golfing! Oh, yes! I told her I was worried about your back. I hadn't seen her for months so I thought she'd moved to the new North Dodge store. I had no idea Deb was sick. I'm sorry I loved talking with her. She was sunshine. A prayer to all who knew her husband, daughters, grandchildren, and friends, and your son who is in heaven with his mother now.

I bet you'd lose every round to get her back. I would take a walk-off 10 and more every hole to get her back for you.
My prayers and condolences to you and your family.

Jackie Thomas

August 8, 2016

I am so sorry to hear of Deb's passing. I first met Deb at MCI and then Parkview. She always had a smile on her face. She was so friendly and outgoing. I was shocked when I realized this was Deb. I wasn't sure until I saw the photos tonight.
May God bless you and comfort you during this very difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with all of Deb's family.

Mike & janan Fulwider

August 6, 2016

our deepest sympathy to the family.. sending prayers.

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Make a Donation
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Memorial Events
for Debra Sickels

Aug

8

Visitation

5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Parkview Evangelical Free Church

Iowa City, IA

Aug

9

Funeral service

10:00 a.m.

Parkview Evangelical Free Church

Iowa City, IA

Aug

9

Burial

Silver Creek Cemetery

IA

Funeral services provided by:

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service - Iowa City

2720 Muscatine Avenue, Iowa City, IA 52240

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