Irene “Pete” Alberta Stickley, 96

Irene “Pete” Alberta Stickley, age 96, of Parkersburg, IA, was born the daughter of Albert and Lena (McCart) Niemann in Stout, IA on January 18, 1927. Pete graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1944. She then went to Buena Vista College for one semester then on to nursing school for 2 years at Augustana in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. 

On January 31, 1947, Pete was united in marriage to Bob Stickley at the Calvary Baptist Church in Parkersburg. They lived most of their married life on the century family farm at the northeast edge of Parkersburg. Bob and Pete owned and operated Polly’s in Parkersburg for 27 years, before retiring in 1992. Not much happened on Main Street that Pete wasn’t fully aware of. In retirement she worked part-time at Dollar General and enjoyed sorting corn at Pioneer Seed every fall with many of her friends. 

Pete was a lifelong member of the Calvary Baptist Church. In addition, she was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and proud member of the American Mayflower Society as a direct descendant of Richard Warren. 

Pete thoroughly enjoyed watching the springtime calves run around the front pasture. She spent many years attending various fairs watching her children, grandchildren and great grandchild show Hereford cattle.

On Thursday, November 16, 2023, Pete passed away at her home in Parkersburg, of natural causes. She is preceded in death by her husband, Bob Stickley and daughter-in-law, Dee Stickley.

Pete is survived by her children, Roger of Mustang, OK, Rita (Sara) of Cedar Falls, and Russ of Parkersburg; grandchildren, Wendy, Tammy (Brent) Brown, Ryan, Nathan (Connie), Ami (Sam) Cordes, and Blake Carolus; great grandchildren, Delaney & Emrie Brown, Bayley (Noah) DeRoos, Tyler (Sidney) Duster, Drew, and Claire, Will, and Anna Cordes; and great-great grandchild, Ryker Duster.

A Funeral Service was held 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at the Calvary Baptist Church in Parkersburg. Pastor Tom Detamore from the Aplington Baptist Church officiated the service. Renise Aswegen accompanied the congregation in singing, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” Tracey Huisinga shared special memories. Vocalists Stan Thompson and Renise Aswegen performed, “How Great Thou Art” and “It Is Well”. A burial was held at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Parkersburg with Nathan Stickley, Ryan Stickley, Roy Henning, Ronnie Henning, Irv Swieter, and Lyle Huisinga serving as casket bearers.  

A visitation was held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, at the Redman Funeral & Cremation Services – Parkersburg Funeral Home. Memorials may be directed to Calvary Baptist Church and American Legion Auxiliary. Online condolences may be left at www.redmanfuneral.com.