Connie Fickel passed away unexpectedly at his home in Alliance, NE on October 21, 2021 at the age of 79 years. He was born to Vaughn Fickel and Emma Rose (Keane) Fickel on April 29, 1942 in Alliance, NE. A brother Gaylin joined the family two years later. Vaughn was drafted into military service and left the family while he served in Burma as a mechanic with the Flying Tigers. When he returned to the US he was assigned to duty in Galveston, TX and Emma, Con and Gaylin joined him there for approximately a year.
After his father’s discharge from the military the family relocated to Marsland, NE where Vaughn worked for the CB&Q Railroad. During the years they lived at Marsland another two brothers (Ken and Terry) and a sister (Donna) joined them. There was not a lack of playmates as several cousins lived nearby.
Con spent a lot of time with his grandparents at Nonpareil NE. He idolized his Grandpa Keane and helped care for the hogs and other animals. He loved riding the horses, a love he maintained throughout his lifetime. During the summers after he was 15 he began working for a nearby farmer and was very proud of the fact that he earned enough to pay for his school clothes each year.
When Con began 7th grade the family moved to Hemingford, NE. He found his real love when he started playing sports there. He enjoyed playing football but especially excelled at track. Grandpa had said Con was the fastest runner he had seen, said he "ran with a puff behind him." This was immediately noted by coaches and even as a freshman was put on the 440 yd relay team (the fastest runner), where he competed every year. His real niche, however, was running in the 100 yd and 220 yd races. He earned many ribbons and trophies and held the Hemingford High School record for the fastest 100 yd race for many years even after he graduated. Both his jr. and sr. years he won first place in his division for the 100 yd race at the State Track Meet in Lincoln, NE.
Even in later years he seemed to have an above average athletic ability whether it be bowling or golfing or whatever.
After graduation he attended Scottsbluff Jr. College. He then worked at several places but usually was drawn to either truck driving or large machinery operation. He became quite adept at grading roads and plowing snow.
Con was married August 4, 1964 to Bronwyn Rees and to this union two children were born, son Shannon Fickel and daughter MeShonne Fickel Burton who both survive him along with his two granddaughters, Shae Finkey and Chelsie Tasso.
Other survivors include three brothers Gaylin (Cindy) Fickel, Ken (Vicki) Fickel (Ken died October 23, 2021), and Terry (Betty) Fickel, numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He was preceded in death by both parents and by his sister Donna Kampbell on June 26, 2021.
Memorial services will be Monday, November 1 at 2:00 p.m. at the Bates-Gould Chapel with Reverend Don Mink officiating.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.