Marion Elizabeth Sickel

Marion E. Sickel passed away Thursday, October 27, 2011, at Rennes Health Center, DePere.. She was born August 31, 1914, in Green Bay to the late Arnold J. Van Beckum and Mary E. (Berens) Van Beckum. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in 1932 where she had attended both grade school and high school. On October 30, 1935, she married Farrell L. Sickel, of Green Bay, at St. Willebrord’s Church.

After raising her family, Marion worked with her husband at Economy Machine & Tool Company, Inc (now known as EMT International, Inc). for 19 years as bookkeeper and vice president. She managed the company after her husband’s death in 1981, securing the future for its employees. She retired in 1986.

Marion and Farrell lived on Clay Street in Green Bay until 1972, when they moved to Red Banks in the Town of Scott where Marion’s family had a cottage built by her grandfather in the 1890s. During their years at Red Banks, Marion and Farrell acquired the property where Jean Nicolet was believed to have landed. In 2002, Marion donated a parcel of that land to the Brown County Historical Society. In 2005 it was dedicated as the Jean Nicolet Look Out to preserve the view and beauty of the spot for future generations.

Marion was a key part of a partnership begun by her husband, and continued by her after his death, that purchased the Kellogg Public Library and Neville Public Museum building in Green Bay in 1981. The building, now known as the Jefferson Court Building, is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Marion supported many local organizations including St. Catherine’s Library & Book Shop in Green Bay, St. Louis Catholic Church in Dykesville, St. Willebrord Catholic Church in Green Bay where she was baptized and married, and the Brown County Historical Society.

She enjoyed traveling, playing bridge, spending time in Marco Island, Florida, with friends and, most of all, spending time with her family and sending greeting cards for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas and other occasions to her 55 children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and their spouses. She never missed an opportunity to congratulate a family member or friend on the milestones in their lives.

She is survived by her four children: Barbara L. Van Ermen, Escanaba, MI; Frederick F. (Sharon) Sickel, Hayesville, NC; Mary H. (Paul) Bureau, Trinidad, TX; and James R. (Kathlin) Sickel, Green Bay, WI; 17 grandchildren: Peter Van Ermen, Greendale, WI; Paul (Mary Anne) Van Ermen, West Bloomfield, MI; Thomas (Christa) Van Ermen, Oak Park, IL; John (Carrie) Van Ermen, Oak Park, IL; Andrew (Layna) Van Ermen, Munster, IN; Mark (Stacie) Van Ermen, Cedarburg, WI; Matthew Van Ermen, Dubai, UAE; Sarah (Colin) Huie, Orland Park, IL; Martha (Paul) Handrich, Wauwatosa, WI; Philip Van Ermen, Milwaukee, WI; Christopher (Denise) Sickel, Sharpsburg, GA; Robin Sickel, Nikiski, AK; Christy Bureau Neher, Dallas, TX; Paul Bureau III, Dallas TX; Paula (Jennifer) Sickel, Milwaukee, WI; Alexander (Kristie) Sickel, Green Bay, WI; Mary Kate Sickel, Chicago, IL; 34 great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law Oliver Schmid, Bloomington, MN; a sister-in-law Jacqueline Sickel, Green Bay, WI; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her stepmother, Mary Lee Verheyden, who married her father, Arnold, after Marion’s mother died in the great influenza epidemic of 1918 when Marion was only four years old. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Farrell, on October 28, 1981; her half brother, John A. Van Beckum, and his wife, Carolyn; a son-in-law, Dale J. (Barbara) Van Ermen; and a granddaughter-in-law, Randi (Peter) Van Ermen.

Family and friends may call Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at Schauer & Schumacher Funeral Home, 340 S. Monroe Ave., Green Bay, from 4:00p.m. until 7:30p.m. with a parish prayer service at 7:00p.m. Visitation will continue on Wednesday at St. Willebrord Catholic Church, 209 S. Adams St., Green Bay, from 9:00a.m. until 10:00a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the church, Wednesday, at 10:00a.m. with Rev. Andrew Cribben officiating and Rev. Kenneth De Groot concelebrating. Burial will be in Allouez Catholic Cemetery. Schauer & Schumacher Funeral Home is assisting the family 920-432-4841.

Marion’s family would like to offer special thanks to the staff, care givers and volunteers at Rennes Health Center, De Pere, for the excellent and gracious care she received during her 4 and a half years there.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to one of the following St. Willebrord’s Parish, Green Bay, WI, St. Louis Parish, Dykesville, WI, St. Catherine’s Bookshop, Green Bay, WI, St. Vincent DePaul Society, 59 White Oak Drive, Warren, NC 28904, or the Brown County Historical Society, Green Bay, WI.