Harvey Louis Wickel

Sep. 22, 1944 - Nov. 14, 2015

Date of Service: Nov. 23, 2015

Harvey L. Wickel

ELBA – Harvey Louis Wickel, 71, died peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, surrounded by those he loved most, his family.

He was born to the late Louis and Eva Winder Wickel on Sept. 22, 1944, in Elba, Idaho. Elba was always home; the place where his heart was at peace. Waking up to a quiet mountain morning brought him much comfort. He spent most of his life riding the Elba mountains - whether it was deer hunting, moving cattle with family and friends, or teaching his kids and grandkids to ride. Teaching his kids to fish in the creek behind his house brought him much joy (and frustration).

Dad will always be known as a true cowboy. There wasn't anything that he was afraid to ride. Almost every horse that he kept on his place, he had raised and broke to ride himself. Many of these horses were the ones that his girls, Kim and Tina, used for high school rodeo and to rodeo queen on. He was proud of the fact that, at the age of 71, he was still moving cattle on the colt that he raised and was breaking.

It brought him much pride knowing that his kids and grandkids followed in his footsteps. He loved watching Dillon ride a rank saddle-bronc horse or break a colt the way he taught him to. Spending time with Kim, when she competed for Miss Rodeo Idaho, was one of the highlights of his life. Hauling Tina to various horse shows was a source of pride for him. Watching his granddaughter, Myka, compete at one of her first barrel races, thrilled him to his toes. Taking his granddaughter, Kylee, with him on cattle drives was one of his favorite things to do. He loved sharing the cowboy way of life with his family and friends.

Dad could tell a story like nobody else. People loved spending hours listening to his tales. Laughter was often heard around his kitchen table. One story and someone was hooked for life. We always told him that he should have written a book containing his stories; it would have been a best seller.

Dad's hobbies included riding horses, hunting, fishing, and others I can't mention. Dad always considered himself an outlaw. He always lived life by his own set of rules.

He is survived by his children, Kim (Mark) Needs of Sand Hollow, Idaho; Tina (Mike) Beckstead of Preston, Idaho; and Dillon (Jennifer) Wickel of Wilder, Idaho; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind one sister, and a number of relatives and close friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Eva Wickel; four brothers and sisters; and his grandson, Matthew Sheldon Beckstead.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 23, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, with Bishop Tom Ottley officiating. Burial will be in the Grand View Cemetery in Elba.

Friends may call from 5 until 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.