Mary Lois Sickel, 79, of Falls City, Nebraska, passed away on Friday, January 24, 2020, at her home in rural Falls City, surrounded by her loving family.  She was born December 30, 1940 at home in Falls City to Albert and Nellie Kautzman Robb.   Her parents later divorced, and Mary Riden Robb became her stepmother.

Mary attended school in Falls City, graduating from Falls City High School in 1959.  Following graduation she married her high school sweetheart, Benny Sickel, at the First Christian Church.  They made their home in rural Falls City on the family farm where Mary began her lifelong passion as a farm wife and homemaker.  They were blessed with three children, Randy, Angie and LeAnn.

Mary was an excellent cook and was especially well known by family and friends for her delicious cinnamon rolls, sticky buns and cherry pizzas.  She also loved to sew and, of course, shop.  Mary was a hard worker.  For many years she cooked two full meals every day for their farm help, maintained a large garden, and canned just about anything and everything, in addition to being a wonderful, loving wife and mother to Randy, Angie and LeAnn.  

Mary always had a smile on her face and kind words to share. She greeted everyone with a big hug, whether she knew them or not, and always gave another upon parting.  She was a woman of great faith in God and an active member of Bethel United Methodist Church, the ladies circle, and was a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher. 

She loved being an active grandma and her grandkids were a very special part of her life.  They all spent hours at her house playing, “helping” her bake and cook, having Friday night sleepovers, feeding her many adopted cats, and receiving an overabundance of love and hugs. The fond stories and memories they all have of Grandma Mary are endless.

Mary is survived by her husband, Benny, son, Randy Sickel and wife Beth, daughters, Angie Nolte and husband Sean, LeAnn Bek and husband Tyler, all of Falls City, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents and stepparents, brother, Kenny Robb, stepbrother, Bill Store, and a nephew, Todd Thrane.

Her funeral will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at 10:30 AM at Bethel United Methodist Church with Pastor Mike Hader officiating. Interment will be in Bethel Zion Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 7-8:00 PM at Dorr and Clark Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for future designation.