Mary Elizabeth (Leverich) Hicken

UPDATE:

VISITATION HAS BEEN CHANGED TO 10:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. with a Memorial Service starting at 10:30. NO LUNCHEON.

Mary Elizabeth Hicken, age 93, of West Bend, WI, passed away on Saturday, December 30, 2023.

Mary was born on January 10, 1930, in Sparta, WI to Sen. James Earl and Ada (Birr) Leverich. She grew up on the family farm near Sparta which, at the time, was one of the leading strawberry producers in Wisconsin. After graduating from Sparta High School in 1947, she went on to earn a degree in Home Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

In 1951, Mary met Edward Hicken and they wed on December 27, 1952, going on to have three sons: Jeff, Mike, and Tom. Mary and Ed were married for 59 years before Ed’s passing in 2012.

In addition to being a full-time stay at home mom while the boys were young, Mary worked in several different careers. She was a teacher in Verona, Madison, and Beaver Dam right out of college, and as substitute teacher in West Bend after the boys were older. She also worked doing accounting and office functions at the family business, Hicken TV & Appliance. After the business was sold, she worked part time at various Hallmark stores in town.

Nana, as she was known to her grandchildren, loved cooking, playing bridge, gardening, keeping detailed records on everything in life, and spending time with family and friends. She was a long time active member of St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in West Bend and participated in groups there like Ladies Aid.

Mary is survived by her three sons, Jeffery Hicken of Madison, Michael (Sheila) Hicken of Rochester, MN, and Thomas (Laurie) Hicken of Allenton, WI; five grandchildren, Sarah (Jake) Wofford, Graham (Stephanie), Brianna, Amelia and Alyssa Hicken; four great-grandchildren, Hudson and Harlow Wofford, Lucy and Jack Hicken; and many other loving nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward; her parents; and brothers James (Sara) Leverich, and Robert (Claire) Leverich.

VISITATION: Mary’s family will greet relatives and friends on Friday, January 12, 2024, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (809 S. 6th Avenue, West Bend) from 10:00 a.m., until 10:30 a.m.

SERVICE: Funeral Services in remembrance of Mary will follow the visitation at the church at 11:00 a.m., with fellowship at the church to follow the service.

The family would like to thank staff at Cedar Community for the care given to Mary both at Cedar Ridge and especially the many care givers at Cedar Bay West during her brief stay there.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Macular Degeneration Association or the Corneal Dystrophy Foundation are greatly appreciated by the family.

Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Mary’s arrangements. Additional information and Tribute Wall may be found at www.myrhum-patten.com.