Sheila Dawn Hicks

Sheila Dawn Senef Hicks died Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at her home in Rochester.Shewas born May 27, 1955, in Lewistown, Montana, the daughter of hard-working Montana farmers, Russell (Rusty) and Phyllis (Donaldson) Senef.She grew up on the family farm near Utica and, after her fathers death in 2003, owned and managed the farm with her siblings.She graduated from Hobson High School, Montana State University (bachelors degree in business education), and St. Marys College (masters degree in management) in Winona, Minnesota.Her passion was running outdoors.She also enjoyed traveling, hiking, and kayaking with her husband and exercising, spending time at DAHLC, spending time enjoying nature, reading, writing, and teaching. On July 18, 1981, Sheila married the love of her life, Gary Allen Hicks from Rochester, Minnesota.Sheila and Gary met in Glacier Park in 1975 where they both worked while college students.Glacier remained a favorite travel and vacation spot for them throughout their married life.They also enjoyed spending time along the North and South shores of Lake Superior and as much time as possible in Montana.They made their home in Rochester, Minnesota, where they were fortunate to find a beautiful home that felt like living in Montana.Sheila was a proud Mayo Clinic employee of 27 years, most recently working in Human Resources Education and Development.She was a long-time member of Christ United Methodist Church in Rochester, Minnesota. Sheila is survived by her devoted and beloved husband; her dearest friend and sister, Sherilyn Senef and brother-in-law Mark Albrecht; brothers, Gary and Chris Senef and Roger and Patty Senef; dear friend Renee Mullins; brother-in-law, Bill and Glenda Fladager; parents-in-law, Jeanette and Melvin Hicks; sisters-in-law, Stephanie and Joe Kissenberth and Karen and Bruno DiNella; nieces, Heidi Kissenberth and Emily Senef; nephews, Aaron Kissenberth, Cody Cervenka, Grant and Lydia Senef, Ryan Senef, and Layton Senef; aunts and uncles, Howard and Doris Donaldson, Harold and June Donaldson, Chris and Glenn Senef, and Beverly Van Epps.She is also survived by many cousins and received tremendous support from all of her family during her illness.She also received incredible support from lifelong family friend Rose Koffler, her coworkers in HR Education and Development at Mayo Clinic, and her many other friends at Mayo Clinic. Sheila was preceded in death by her parents; her youngest sister, Wanda Senef Fladager; and her grandparents, John and Eleanor Donaldson and Edwin and Grace Senef. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, August 1, 2011 at Christ United Methodist Church, 400 5th Ave. SW, with Rev. Nancy Wheeler Handlon officiating.Visitation will be from 2-5 P.M. on July 31, 2011 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home and an hour prior to the service at the church. A Memorial Service will also take place at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 6, 2011 at United Methodist Church, 512 W. Broadway St. in Lewistown, MT. Visitation will be from 3-7 PM on Friday, August 5, 2011 at Creel Funeral Home, 601 W. Main St. in Lewistown and an hour prior to the service at the church.Burial will be at the Lewistown City Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, or Central Montana Foundation, Lewistown, Montana.The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to the many friends who provided love, prayers, and support during Sheilas illness and to the doctors, nurses, and her other caregivers at Mayo Clinic.Special thanks to Dr. Timothy Wilson, Dr. Shernan Holtan, Dr. Timothy Hobday, Dr. Stephen Cassivi, Dr. Matthew Goetz, Dr. Jeffrey Rabatin, Dr. David Nagorney, Dr. Michael Bostwick, the Gonda 10 chemotherapy nurses, and Paul Jacobson.