Anvy Wicks

Anvy Marie Bower Wicks, age 94, of Decorah, IA, passed away Monday morning, June 22, 2020, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah, IA. A Private Family Graveside Service will be held at Burr Oak Cemetery on Monday, June 29, 2020. Anvy was born March 20, 1926, in Wapello, IA, the daughter of John Glenn Bower and Ruby Leota Schultz. Anvy spent her early years and attended school in the Wapello, IA area. In 1946, she moved to Davenport, IA where she attended St. Luke's School of Nursing and earned her Registered Nursing degree. Anvy was united in marriage to Eugene M. (Gene) Wicks on October 12, 1946 in St. Louis, MO. This union was blessed with six children: Dennis, Steven, Diane, Michael, Cathy, and Gary. Anvy worked as an R.N. for many years at Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital, Winneshiek County Care Facility (now Wellington Place) as their head nurse, and Northeast Iowa Community College as their adult health education coordinator. She retired in 1989. Anvy then volunteered at Aase Haugen Senior Services as a patient advocate. Anvy and her family were charter members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Decorah. She enjoyed playing bridge, golfing, and walking, and rarely missed any of her children's many athletic events and concerts. She is remembered as a wonderful, busy woman and a mom who created a loving home for her family. She was preceded in death by her husband Gene on October 3, 2008; her parents, John and Ruby Bower; her brother Glenn (Juanita) Bower; sister-in-law Eileen (Donald) Mellom; daughter-in-law Marjorie H. Wicks; great-granddaughter Hannah Jo Wicks; and nephew Russell Mellom. Anvy is survived by her six children: Dennis (Jan) Wicks of Freeport, IL, Steven (Charlotte) Wicks of Marion, AR, Diane (Doug) Osborn of Decorah, Michael (Jackie) Wicks of Lincoln, NE, Cathy (Larry) Kennedy of Marion, IA, and Gary Wicks (John Lamothe) of Washington, DC; fourteen grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. Memorials may be given to Aase Haugen Senior Services, 4 Ohio St. Decorah, IA, 52101, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 701 Iowa Ave., Decorah, IA 52101, Humane Society of Northeast Iowa, 2345 Millennium Rd, Decorah, IA 52101.