Douglas P. Wickstrom

Douglas P. Wickstrom, 71, of Hinton, formerly of Sioux City, passed away Wednesday, November 21, 2012, after a 10-year battle with leukemia and lung cancer. Memorial services will be 11:00 A.M. Saturday, November 24, 2012 at Calvary Lutheran Church, 4400 Central Street, Sioux City, with Reverend James Travis officiating. Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, November 23, 2012 at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Online condolences can be directed to meyerbroschapels.com. Doug was born December 14, 1940, in Sioux City, IA, the oldest son of Paul and Dorothy (Deist) Wickstrom. He attended school in Kingsley, Climbing Hill, and graduated in 1959 from Holly Springs-Hornick. He graduated from the University of South Dakota with a bachelor's in history and math and a master's in ed. psych. and guidance. Doug married Karla Schwarz in Bloomfield, NE, in 1967. They had two daughters, Denise (David) Bleeker and Rebecca Wickstrom. Doug spent 4 ½ years in the Coast Guard and 20 years with the Air National Guard as the historian for the 185th in Sioux City. He began his teaching career at East High School in 1969, and he was in the North High math department from the opening of the school until retiring at the school in 2000. Since then, he continued to substitute throughout the school system. He was a favorite of many of his students who appreciated his bright spirit and kind heart. Doug was an avid bicyclist riding 23 years in the Ragbrai bike ride across Iowa. He and his brother, Dennis, liked to ride their motorcycles to Sturgis, SD, every August. He and Karla enjoyed many trips to Arizona, Branson, Las Vegas, and Washington D.C. over the years. Doug's sense of humor was infectious, and the grin on his face told everyone how much he enjoyed life. He will be missed by many friends and family members, but the cherished memories of this much-loved man will live on forever. Doug leaves behind his wife, Karla; brothers, Dennis {Lynda} Wickstrom of Sioux Falls, SD, and Stan {Judy} Wickstrom of Sioux City, IA; daughters, Denise {David} Bleeker of Pekin, IL; Rebecca Wickstrom of Littleton, CO; and two grandsons, Alexander and Matthew Bleeker. He was preceded in death by his parents