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Maurice Leslie
Sickler

Due to deteriorating health Maurice Leslie Sickler entered the Hillcrest Health Care Center in Rush City in 1999 and considered it his home until his death Friday morning; Nov. 28, 2003. He died at the Fairview Lakes Regional Medical Center in Wyoming at the age of 91 years.

Maurice was born Nov. 21, 1912 in Fraser Township of Martin County, Minnesota to Emory and Emma (Toothacher) Sickler. He was the seventh of nine children. Maurice attended District 124 School in Martin County through the eighth grade and shortly thereafter started working in the canning factory in Fairmont, Minn.

While visiting his brother George, Maurice met Mildred McDeid, who was working for George at the time, and was married to Mildred on Sept. 20, 1937 in Fairmont, Minn. The couple later moved to a farm outside of Sherburn, Minn. and started farming. In 1952, they moved to a farm thre miles southwest of Pine City where they raised their four children.

Maurice was a long time member of the Chengwatana Riders Saddle Club and participated in many horse shows and took yearly rides with the Club. Maurice was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Pine City for many years and still was a member although health issues did not allow him to attend.

In 1982, Mildred died and Maurice continued to reside on the farm. He started baking his own bread and cookies, which he kept on hand for the grandkids. He mowed a huge lawn and loved to care for his rose bushes and other flowers.

Maurice is survived by his daughter Diane Soderquist and her husband Reynold of Mora, sons Wallace Sickler and his wife Marilyn of Hinckley, Gary Sickler and his wife Marlys of Moundsview, Minn., John Sickler and his wife Helen of Pine City, 10 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, one great- great-granddaughter, his sister Virginia Emery of Big Lake, Minn., sister-in-law Ruth Sickler of Sherburn, Minn., extended family member Larry Zaun of Pine City and his long-time dog companion ìSqueekerî. Preceding Maurice in death was his parents, wife Mildred, daughter Sharon Sickler, five brothers and three sisters.

Rev. Glenn Kleppe officiated at funeral services held Monday, December 1, at 11 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church of Pine City. Organist Marge Hawkinson accompanied the soloist. Honorary casket bearers included grandchildren Kim Sickler, Rick Sickler, Jim Soderquist, Desiree Sickler Lawrence and Katelyn Zaun.

Active casket bearers included grandsons Steve, Jeff, Mike, Matt and Mike Sickler and Harold Soderquist with the interment in the Birchwood Cemetery in Pine City.

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