Richard Sickels

Richard Sickels, 62, of Nevada, IA, died unexpectedly Friday, July 17, 2015 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.
Born August 28, 1952 in Waukon, Richard Oakley Sickels was the son of Arthur and Alvina (Nelson) Sickels. He grew up in Waterville and began working at a young age. Rich loved to work, hauling canned milk with his dad and bailing hay with his uncles. He graduated from Waukon Senior High School in 1970. He served in the United States Navy from 1970-72, then returned to Iowa and worked in grounds maintenance at Iowa State University in Ames for 34 years, retiring in 2010.
November 26, 1976, he was united in marriage to Kinda (Kuhn) Eller in Ames. She passed away in 2001.
Rich enjoyed watching western movies, country music, fishing and spending time with his family.
Survivors include his mother, Alvina Sickels of Rossville; two brothers, Robert (Beverly) Sickels of Nevada, IA and Rodney (Deborah) Sickels of Dorchester; two sisters, Ruth Sunkle of Marshalltown and Becky (Curtis) See of Aransas Pass, TX; a stepdaughter, Julie Eller of Altoona; his girlfriend, Gloria Lewis of Nevada, IA; and two four-legged companions, Axle and Sadie.
In addition to his wife, Linda, Rich was preceded in death by his father, a brother-in-law, Phillip Sunkle, and special friends Charley Litchfield and Keith Thompson.
His funeral with military honors has held July 22 at Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada, IA. He is laid to rest in the Nevada Municipal Cemetery. A memorial service was held August 2 at the Rossville Presbyterian Church for Richard with Pastor Tom Buresh officiating.