Denny Sickles, 72, of Fontanelle

Funeral Services:  Will be held on Friday, March 24, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle, Iowa, with burial in the Fontanelle Cemetery.  A luncheon will be held at the church following the burial.  Pastor Steven Broers will officiate the service.  The Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle is in charge of the professional arrangements.  Online condolences may be left to the family at to be www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

Open Visitation:  Will be held on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Family Visitation:  The family will greet friends on Thursday evening at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Memorials:  May be directed to the Denny Sickles Memorial Fund to be established by the family at a later date.

   Denny Eugene Sickles was born on January 26, 1951, in Greenfield, Iowa, the son of Carl Donald and Evelyn Mae (Ticknor) Sickles. He passed away at the age of 72, on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at the MercyOne Rehabilitation Hospital in Clive, Iowa.

   Denny grew up in Fontanelle and graduated from Fontanelle High School in 1970. He was united in marriage to Debra Crystal Hall on June 8, 1974, and to this union, two children were born: Teresa and Tyson. The family lived in Fontanelle until moving to their farm east of town in 1988. Being on the farm was one of Denny’s favorite places to be. Along with his favorite gate-opener, Deb, he raised sheep for many years, with lots of goats and cows mixed in along the way. Of course, Denny was also known to keep llamas, peacocks, and various other critters around as well.

   Denny worked at the Farmer’s Lumber Company for over 54 years, where he became an institution before retiring in December of 2021. There, his handyman skills were ever on display, and customers could count on Denny to take care of everything: loading rock, cutting boards, fixing fencers, and any of the other needs they came in with. 

   Helping others was another of Denny’s great passions. He served on the Fontanelle Fire and Rescue Department for over 46 years as an EMT and firefighter and as the Fire Chief for over 25 of those years. In addition to that service, he was also actively involved with the Adair County Fair Board, Adair County Emergency Management Services, Adair County Lamb and Wool Growers, Iowa Firemen’s Association, and was a former Fontanelle City Councilman and Fontanelle Lion’s Club Member. In many of those roles, he served alongside longtime friends Ray and Sandra Stewart.

   He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Donny and Dale.

   Denny is survived by his wife, Debra, of Fontanelle; daughter, Teresa (Brian) Husk of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, son, Tyson (Amanda) Sickles of Fontanelle; seven grandchildren, Kentzee Husk (Dillon), Kaylee Husk (TreVounce), Karree Finley (Dewaylynn), Korree Husk (Ayanna), Torri Husk, Mason Clarke (Anna), Josie Clarke (Madison); ten great-grandchildren, Brantly, Ka’Leigha, TreVounce Jr., Aziah, Kae’Lynn, Kamonie, Kahzari, Kalilah, Everlee, Maislee; siblings, David Sickles (Cindy), Doug Sickles, Judy Sickles, Joyce Nelson, Duane Sickles, Dallas Sickles (Sarah), and Dean Sickles (Denise), other relatives and friends.

   The family of Denny Sickles wishes to express their gratitude for all acts of kindness shown to them in their time of sorrow and invites you to join them for a luncheon at the church following the services at the cemetery.