SICKELS, Maxine (LANCE)

SICKELS, LANCE, THOMPSON, WALTER

Posted By: Tony Mercer (email)
Date: 2/7/2022 at 21:40:20

Maxine Lance was born February 6, 1908 to William Ellsworth and Eliza Hobbs Lance at the family home in Hume, MO. She was welcomed by 8 year old brother, Leo, and was joined by sister, Fern, in 1911. In 1922 a 4 year old nephew, Clark Kenney, came to be their beloved little brother.

Maxine passed away March 18, 2011 at the Mount Ayr Health Care Center in Mount Ayr, IA at the age of 103 years.

Maxine enjoyed school and attended country school for 8 years and graduated with the Class of 1925 from Mount Ayr High School. She attended Teacher's College in Cedar Falls taking a special one year course for rural teachers, she then taught for 3 years.

She was married to Cecil Sickels on December 18, 1928 in the Mount Ayr Methodist parsonage attended by friends Floyd Laird and Beth Eason. Cecil and Maxine were married for 62 years until Cecil's death on May 5, 1990.

Four sons were born to this Union: Gene, Bill, Lynn, and Mack. Later their family was joined by a teenager, Richard Walter, who remained a part of the family for more than 50 years.

In 1944 when the War left their country school, Mountain Brush, without a teacher, Maxine dusted off her teaching certificate and went back to work teaching for the next 8 years. She continued as a substitute teacher in the local schools for several more years.

Maxine became a member of the Eureka Methodist Church as a teenager. She later joined the Kellerton Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school for more than 25 years. She also served in several different offices in W.S.C.S while a church member there. In 1977, she joined the Mount Ayr Methodist Church.

Maxine enjoyed her yard and garden and flower beds. She enjoyed reading books and loved to write.

Maxine was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil, her son, Lynn, brother, Leo, sister, Fern Thompson, daughter-in-law, Marjorie Sickels, and Richard and Barbara Walter.

Those left to cherish her memory include her three sons and their spouses: Gene and wife Barbara of Mt. Ayr, IA; Bill and wife Anne of Brenham, TX, Mack and wife Phyllis of Mt. Ayr, IA, daughters-in-law Janet Jackson of Creston, IA and Peggy Walter of Indianola, IA; Grandchildren and their children; Dave Sickels, Adam, Alex and one great, great granddaughter Lily; Tom Sickels and wife Jane, Mathew; Perry Stanley and wife Kristen, Zack and Beth; Debra Lundy, Tyler, Aaron; Mickael and wife Amanda, Taylor, Hunter, Zeke, Hope, Avery, Cali; Amy Beth Osborn and husband Tim, Evan and Sabrina; Vicki Osland and husband Scott, Zach Schuler, Joni Kirk and husband Dave, Emily Zrgenbright; John and wife Missy, Jami, Josie, and Molly; Julie Pew, Jessie, and Gaven; Jim Sickels and wife Tamie, Gabe, Zane, Jack, Maci Clare, Zeke; Laura Edain and husband Hason; David Walter and wife Jody, Luke; other family and friends.