"Beth and family, we just wanted you to know that we are thinking of you at this difficult time. Wishing you peace and comfort! Michelle and Mark Hughes"
In loving memory of
L. Gale Stickley
October 23, 1926 - November 12, 2019
L. Gale Stickley, 93, of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday morning, November 12, 2019, at Maquoketa Care Center in Maquoketa, Iowa.
A gathering of family and friends celebrating Gale's life will be held on Tuesday, November 19, 2019, from 4 to 7 P.M. at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa. A private graveside service and burial will be held on Wednesday at Mount Hope Cemetery, Maquoketa.
Lester Gale Stickley was born on October 23, 1926 in Maquoketa, Iowa, to Irvie Lyle and Viva June (Edwards) Stickley. He was a 1945 graduate of Maquoketa High School. He married Donna June Felten on April 17, 1949 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. To this union three children were born, Diane, Duane and Beth.
Gale always wanted to be a farmer but after hurting his back, he decided to attend Coyne Electrical and Refrigeration Trade School in 1948. He then came back to Maquoketa and started an electrical business in partnership with Al Thola in 1948. Six months later, he bought his partner out and opened Stickley Electric on North Main Street. In 1958, he moved his business out to the old Fisher and Tractor repair building on Western Avenue, where the business is currently run by his son, Duane today.
Gale was a member of the Coronado Car Club, and the Knights of Pythias Lodge. He was a charter member of the Joinerville Boat Club in Sabula and a lifetime member of the Maquoketa Fire Department. He enjoyed golfing with one of his proudest moments being a hole-in-one. He also enjoyed playing Euchre, getting together with his friends for coffee, remodeling and restoring antique cars and tractors, going on camping trips with friends at Joinerville Boat Club and Leisure Lake, and taking cross country trips in his antique cars with the Lincoln Highway Tour Group. Additionally, he loved to watch westerns, whether it was TV shows like Ponderosa or John Wayne movies. He would often get up early in the morning on days it snowed and plow the Methodist Church and neighbor's driveways. He also volunteered to mow lots at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Those left to honor Gale's memory include his children, Diane and her husband Ed Bodnar of Broomfield, CO, Duane and his wife Mary Stickley of Maquoketa, IA, and Beth Stickley of Bellingham, WA; 3 grandchildren, Josh and his wife Olivia Bodnar of Los Angeles, CA, Natalie and her husband Brad Haigh of Denver, CO, and Shawn and his wife Kim Stickley of Marion, IA; 6 great-grandchildren, Noelle and Braxton Bodnar, Aven and Hadley Haigh, Peyton and Paige Stickley; sister, Betty Miller of Maquoketa, IA; and brothers-in-law, Rex Felten of Maquoketa, IA and Donald Felten of Delavan, WI. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Donna, sister Bev Haylock, infant brother LJ Stickley, and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to Hospice of Jackson County, Mount Hope Cemetery Association or the Maquoketa Area YMCA.
Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.
Tributes
"Duane Mary Diane and the rest of the family,,,,Maquoketa lost one of its best ,,,,,I always enjoyed working around Gale when working for John Cressey ,,,,he made the day go fast with his stories and personality,,,,,my thoughts are with you ,,,, ralph saunders "
"You have our sympathy on the loss of your father Gale. Marlene and Ronnie Oglesby 7828 Trails Edge Dr. Dubuque, Ia. 52002"
"Prayers go out to the family ?
Candie Potter Emery "
"To Duane, Mary, Shawn and the rest of the Stickley family: We are sad to hear of Gale?s passing but know he is in a much better place. Prayers to all of you during this time. Kevin and Leslie McAreavy"
"Duane, Mary and Family, Val and I extend our sympathies to you all during this time. I remember seeing dad working in the garage on his old truck and then driving around town in it. Great memories of Maquoketa! The Stickleys have been a big part of our lives for the years that we were there and we appreciate the chance to have known you all. Know that you and dad will be in our thoughts and prayers in the days ahead. God bless!"
"My thoughts and prayers are being sent to you and your whole family. May Gale rest in
peace now and I remember his giggle sooo well when he was telling some of his stories.
"
"My sympathy to the Stickley family. May he rest in peace."
"Our thoughts and prayers to the family. I remember him well.
Bill and Janet Baresel Spratte"
"My deepest sympathy for all of the Stickley family.He will be missed dearly.prayers and thoughts with you all."
"Sending my sympathy to the Stickely family."
"Our sympathy to the Stickley family. "
"My deepest sympathy to the family. May God grant you peace during this most difficult of times."
"Sending our sympathy to the family. Diane I was a class mate of yours in Maquoketa and have found memories of your Dad. Our family always used your Dad's business when building our new homes over the year's and always talked highly of your Dad as a person and businessman. Debra Simon's- Tillis"
"Our thoughts and prayers to the whole Stickley family, so sorry for your loss."
"Our deepest sympathy to the whole Stickley family, so very sorry for your loss Duane, Beth and Diane. "
"So sorry for your loss."
"To Gale 's family, My deepest sympathy to all of you. Gale and Donna were a part of our life for many years. They showed us many kindnesses and a lifelong friendship. Nels use to share so many memories of working with "Stick" and we had many laughs over the years. May both he and Donna rest in peace now. My deepest sympathy to all of you. May God keep you in His care.
Sheila Bentley"