SALINA — Lois Eileen Hickel, 84, passed away on April 21, 2022, at home in Salina, Kansas. She was born on June 14, 1937, to Harry & Mildred (Wisehart) Elliott in Ransom. She married Edward Hickel on July 21, 1954, in Great Bend. He passed away on March 18, 1992.

A Salina resident in her later years, Lois also resided in Great Bend and Lawrence. She held a cosmetology license for over forty years but spent most of her working career empowering and training special needs adults at Cottonwood, Inc., in Lawrence. Lois was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and did a lot of volunteer work. She was an artist, enjoying ceramics, arts and crafts, crocheting, knitting, poetry, listening to music, and painting anything that would hold still. She had a passion for bowling. Lois especially loved spending time with her family.

Survivors include, two sons, Jim (Karol) Hickel of Gardner and Jerry Hickel of Salina; a daughter, Tammy (Bill) Bowers of Lawrence; seven grandchildren, Brandon Hickel, Jamie Geist, Jerry Hickel Jr., Chris Wilkinson, Tava Cook, Melissa Smith, Kelcy Werts; twelve great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and a dedicated family friend, Richard “R.C.” Sears. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; two brothers, Robert and Darold Elliott; a sister, Joan Keener; and a daughter-in-law, Sheila. 

Visitation will take place on Thursday, April 28, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Bryant Funeral Home with the family receiving guests from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Funeral service will take place at 1 p.m. Friday, April 29, 2022, at Bryant Funeral Home with Pastor Chris Lehew presiding. Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery. Memorials have been designated to the Saline County Special Olympics Bowling Team or Hospice of Salina, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS 67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, April 24, 2022