Darlene Sickelka

     Darlene Sickelka, the daughter of Erwin and Frieda (Tesch) Mesner, was born on October 18, 1930, on a farm southwest of Paullina, IA. She was raised in Paullina until she was 8 and then the family moved to Germantown, IA. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church and attended Germantown Parochial School until the 8^th grade and then went to Paullina High School where she graduated. At age 65 she went to  Center-Learn in Des Moines earning a degree in Pastoral Ministry at age 68.

     She married Donald Sickelka on February 17, 1954, at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Germantown. The couple farmed northeast of Gaza most of their married life, before moving to Sutherland in 2000. Darlene loved helping on the farm, gardening, being a homemaker and raising her 4 children. She enjoyed baking and her chocolate chip cookies were everyone’s favorite.  She completed a cake decorating course in 1979. Darlene began guest speaking at Zion United Church of Christ while studying for her Pastorate. Her first charge after receiving her degree was at Rossie United Church of Christ, serving there for 5 years and later served as Pastor of Larchwood United Church of Christ for 6 months.

     Darlene enjoyed 8 years of volunteer work at the Primghar Elementary School as a Foster Grandparent. She also volunteered in the Senior Companion Program.  She was very active in the Calumet Church, Women’s Fellowship Leader, Sunday School teacher and janitor.  She was also involved in the American Legion Auxillary in Paullina and served on the board and as a volunteer.

She loved to read, was an avid walker and enjoyed learning how to use the computer.

     Darlene passed away on Monday, April 3, 2023 at the St. Luke’s Hospital in Sioux City, IA, at the age of 92. She was preceded in death by her husband in 2000; her 2 brothers: Dewayne and Darwin Mesner and her sister Geraldine (Leonard) Claussen.

     Left to cherish her memory are her children: Dwight (Becky) Sickelka of Huntington, TX, Doug (Deb) Sickelka of Sutherland, IA, Rev. David (Rev. Dr. Susan) Sickelka of Mt. Pleasant, MI and Dawn Sickelka of Sutherland, IA; her grandchildren: Chris (Bridget) Sickelka, Cory Sickelka, Anthony Sickelka, Cameron (Amelia) Owens, Shannon (Austin) Pike and Ray Cordova;  her great grandchildren: Jordan and Sydney Sickelka, Dean Sickelka, Logan and Addylinn Owens, and Jackson Pike; her sisters-in-law Marge (Dewayne) Mesner and JoAnn (Darwin) Mesner; other relatives and many friends.