Jeanette Lou Hicks

Jeanette Lou Hicks, of Rochester, died October 6, 2013 at St. Marys Hospital of Alzheimer disease. Jeanette was born in Winona, Minnesota, on February 26, 1930. She was the youngest of four children of Henry and Emma (Gerson) Safranek. She graduated from Winona Senior High School and attended St. Teresa College in Winona. She married Melvin Hicks on May 13, 1950. They resided in Winona and moved to Rochester in 1955. Jeanette was employed by Mayo Clinic for 30 years as a cytotechnologist in Surgical Pathology, retiring in 1992. She loved the out-of-doors, trout fishing, camping with her family in the National Parks, reading mysteries, knitting and attending symphony concerts. In later years she enjoyed traveling the world from Europe to Australia. Jeanette is survived by her husband, Melvin and their children, Stephanie (Joe) Kissenberth of Lebanon, NJ., Karen (Bruno) DiNella of Rosemount, MN., and Gary Hicks of Rochester; grandchildren, Aaron and Heidi Kissenberth of New Jersey, and a brother, C.H. Bud Safranek of Winona. Jeanette was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Marjorie (Roy) Lossen of Winona, Beverly (Hank) Polichnowski of New Bern, NC, anddaughter-in-law, Sheila Senef Hicks of Rochester. A memorial service will be held 2:00 P.M. Saturday, October 12, 2013 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester. Visitation will be held from 1:00 P.M. Until time of service. Rev. T.J. Parlette will be officiating. Inurnment will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. A special thank you to the staffs of Sunrise-Cottagewood and Mayo Clinic for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer Association, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society or to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.