Oct. 30, 1930 - Aug. 31, 2013
Date of Service: Sep. 9, 2013
Natella Wickel
ELBA – Natella Grace Bailey Wickel, 82, of Elba, passed away peacefully into the arms of her Heavenly Father on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013 in Burley, Idaho.
Natella was born in Albion, Idaho, on Oct. 30, 1930, to Nathaniel and Jennie Marie Winslow Bailey. She married William Arden Wickel on Oct. 4, 1947, in Albion and they resided in Connor Creek.
Natella grew up and attended school in Albion. She was one of nine children and had a strong bond with her sister, Betty. Natella loved spending time with her dad on the ranch and learned to work hard at a young age. She loved to ride horses whenever she had the chance. She enjoyed singing, dancing, and was always helping her mother.
After marrying Arden, she moved to Conner Creek where they would reside and build a family and ranch together. They were married 61 years at the time of Arden’s passing. When they were first married, Natella often helped move cattle on the ranch. Her responsibilities quickly changed as their family grew. They were blessed with five children and Natella was a wonderful mother working inside and outside the home to help provide for her family. She set a remarkable example for her posterity of what it means to work hard and make sacrifices as a mother. Natella worked in the potato fields in Oakley picking spuds. She later worked at the Ore-Ida potato plant for 30 years, retiring in 1995.
Natella had many hobbies and talents. She was a great cook, made wonderful bread, and canned just about anything. She was often cooking dinner for many during the busy days on the ranch. If you ever visited the Wickel home, you could be guaranteed of wonderful smells coming from the kitchen. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, and loved puttering in her garden. She would much rather be mowing the lawn than stuck inside. Natella most loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed sharing her knowledge with them and sewed or crocheted many baby blankets throughout the years.
Natella enjoyed traveling when she had the opportunity to do so. She was able to go on a few memorable trips during her life, including visiting New York where she saw a Broadway play. She went on a LDS Church tour with her sister-in-law and many fun trips with her daughter’s family. Her favorites were always when it involved visiting her children and grandchildren.
Natella was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She enjoyed serving others throughout her life and served in many different church positions from Relief Society to Primary, including several years as Relief Society president in the Elba Ward. She also enjoyed attending the temple with her friends.
She is survived by her brother, James “Jim” Bailey of Declo; and her five children, Nancy (Bill) Cranney of Oakley, Arden Eugene “Gene” Wickel of Malta, Ardel Wayne (Judy) Wickel of Declo, James B “Jim” (Barbara) Wickel of Missoula; Mont., and William Kevin “Bill” (Jane) Wickel of Elba; 17 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren.
Her husband, parents, seven siblings, daughter-in-law, and two great-grandsons preceded her in death.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 9, at the Elba LDS Church with Bishop Tom Ottley officiating. Burial will be in the Grand View Cemetery immediately following the services.
Friends may call from 5 until 7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and 10 until 10:45 a.m. on Monday at the church.
Many thanks to those who cared for her and were her friends at Highland Estates.
