Sallie Sickels

Sallie Anne Sickels (née Blumenstein), age 95, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. Born on June 15, 1931, to William and Hannah (née Bundera) Blumenstein, Sallie was raised with a deep appreciation for education, faith, and family. 

After graduating from high school, she pursued her passion for caring for others by attending Northwestern School of Nursing, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She became a Registered Nurse and dedicated many years to the nursing profession. During the final four years of her career, she served as an instructor in the Health Occupations program at Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC), where she inspired countless students to pursue careers in healthcare. 

Following her education, Sallie married the love of her life, Donald Sickels. Together they shared 67 wonderful years of marriage, building a life centered on faith, family, and unwavering devotion. Together they raised three children: Susan, John, and James. Sallie's faith was the cornerstone of her life. She was a devoted member of First United Methodist Church in Waukesha, where she faithfully served on numerous church committees throughout the years. Her church family was an important part of her life, and she found great joy in serving others through her congregation. Outside of her professional and church life, Sallie embraced every opportunity to enjoy the things she loved. She was an avid reader and treasured the friendships she made through her book club. She enjoyed the challenge and camaraderie of her bridge club, loved playing Mahjong, and especially cherished traveling with family. Some of her happiest memories were made at her family's beloved cottage on Lake Nokomis, where summers were filled with laughter, relaxation, and time spent with those she loved most. 

Sallie will be deeply missed by her children, Susan (John) Vornholt, John (Colleen) Sickels, and James (Sarah) Sickels; her grandchildren, Anne (Brett) Walgora, Zachary (Gisela) Vornholt, Emily (Ryan) Robb, Elizabeth (Michael) Vornholt, Morgan (Dan) Warner, Ashley (Chris) Nelson, Kathryn (John) Batterman, Ryan Sickels, and Matthew Vornholt; and her cherished great-grandchildren, Colleen, Edward, Elena, Natalia, Henry, Charles, Elizabeth, Grace, Jackson, Maclain, Cecilia, and Louise. She is further survived by her sister, Susan Lauritzen; her brother-in-law, Gene Sickels; her sister-in-law, Katherine Duff-Sickels; along with many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, dear friends, former students, and all whose lives she touched.

Sallie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Donald Sickels, and her parents, William and Hannah Blumenstein. A memorial service celebrating Sallie's life will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at First United Methodist Church, 121 Wisconsin Avenue, Waukesha, WI 53186.

Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 11:00 a.m. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the hospice team and to the many nurses who compassionately cared for Sallie in her final days. It brought her great joy to be surrounded by former students whose lives she had helped shape, a fitting reflection of a life devoted to caring for others. Sallie's kindness, wisdom, steadfast faith, and servant's heart will be remembered always. Her legacy lives on through her family, the countless nurses she mentored, and all those fortunate enough to know her.