In Memory of Dennis Ray Van Sickler

Dennis Ray Van Sickler, age 63, of Ida Grove, Iowa passed away on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at his residence in Ida Grove, Iowa.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 18, 2016 at the St.  Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Reverend Richard A. Salcido will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Morgan Township Cemetery, of Schleswig, Iowa. A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Friday, June 17, 2016, at the Christensen – Van Houten Funeral Home, of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com

Dennis Ray Van Sickler, 63, of Ida Grove, IA, died on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at home, from angiosarcoma, a form of cancer.

Dennis was born June 10, 1953, in Superior, NE, to Robert and Dollie (Burr), who also had eight more children: Grace (Jay) Foutz, of Lawrence, KS; Kay (Darrel) Finke; Robert Jr.; Venita Franey, of Jefferson, IA; Willis (Cori), of Fort Dodge, IA; Rita Sue Van Sickler, of Boone, IA; David Van Sickler, of Jefferson, IA; and Donnie (Corrie) of Tacoma, WA. He was baptized on April 4th, 1992, and confirmed on April 5th, 1992, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. The family resided in Nelson, NE, until they moved to Scranton, IA, where Dennis graduated from high school in 1971.

Dennis married Shirley Kruger on July 12, 1975, at the Friends Church in Scranton. The couple were blessed with six children: Sally (Patrick) Tracy and children Erin and Shannon of Ames, IA; Bobbie (Christopher) Weber and son, Ian of Schleswig, IA; Brett (Fiancée Cassie) Van Sickler and children, Ashton and Tayton, of Dakota City, NE; Brandi (Jeff) Sharkey and children, Naomi, Rachel, Isaiah, and “Baby” of Denver, IA; Bryan Van Sickler and daughter, Anna, of Danbury, IA;  and Brandon (Nicole) Van Sickler, of Sioux City, IA.

Dennis attended Western Iowa Tech Community College where he obtained his accreditation’s for plumbing, electrical, and heating/cooling (HVAC). He began his own business, Van Sickler Plumbing & Electrical, in 1986 when he moved his family from Glidden, IA, to Ida Grove. He would later obtain his accreditations, qualifying him as a master plumber, electrician, and HVAC technician. Dennis always enjoyed helping others, going fishing in Canada, and was a dedicated “Huskers” fan.

Dennis is survived by his wife of 40-years, Shirley Van Sickler; his six children, ten grandchildren; six of his siblings: Grace, Venita, Rita, Willis, David, and Donnie; as well as many in-laws, nephews, nieces, cousins and extended family.

Dennis was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, two siblings, Robert Jr. and Kay; twin grandchildren, Kaden and Courtney; brothers-in-law, Jay and Darrel,.

Dennis will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and customers.