Obituary: Nancy Bickel

Nancy Irene Wilson Bickel Ramburg

Heaven gained another beautiful angel Nov. 22, 2019.

She fought a long, hard, painful battle trying to beat Myelodysplastic Syndrome (Pre-Leukemia). Unfortunately after five years, the cancer returned to Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Nancy (58) was born in Great Falls on a bright and sunny morning to Robert V. Wilson and Frances L. Rae, becoming the sixth child of seven.

She was raised in Cascade and Lincoln, Mont. Nancy grew up surrounded by her brothers, hence her strong desire to face any challenge and her tomboy attributes.

She attended schools in Cascade, Lincoln, Augusta and Great Falls. Nancy was a guard on the Lincoln basketball teams ("A" and "B" squads) playing in the first string both games back to back. They fought long and hard, in which Lincoln finally brought home the one and only State win. Unfortunately, the trophy burned up in the school fire.

She loved the outdoors and was always doing something. She loved her gardens/flowers and it broke her heart when she got cancer as she had to give them up due to mold spores in the soil.

Growing up in Lincoln was the best childhood anyone could ever ask for! The family is intertwined forever and always looks out for each other and no matter where you may go, it isn't long before you return home again.

Nancy married Harold Bickel and to this union, three amazing children were born. Together they helped "Grammom" and "Granpop" run Mom's Drive Inn for many years. Later Harold and Nancy parted ways and Nancy went on to work at Lambkin's , TheWheel Inn, The Bootlegger and Hi Country Beef Jerky Plant. (How she became a hooker and a stripper, hahhahaha)

She then decided to move to Helena. She worked several jobs before becoming a leasing agent for Eagles Manor. "How hard can this be" she said. Lots of hard work and determination! She stuck with it and eventually became a licensed property manager for Project Management, which became the BEST job she ever had. It was a very stressful, demanding job, but she loved it and was so good at it too!

Nancy was preceded in death by her love of her life of 24 years, Thomas Ramburg; mother-in-law, Margaret Keller and Jean Bickel; father-in-law, Lester Bickel; parents Robert V. Wilson and Frances L. Wilson; two brothers, John and Steve Wilson; two sisters, Ann Smock and Cathy Wilson; and several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Nancy is survived by her three children, Beth (Chris) Rolfe and grandkids, Josh, AJ, Caleb and Wade Rolfe, all of Helena; Jennifer Bickel and all the relatives of Lincoln; and Brandon (Jessica Aikin-Wolfe), and all of his best buddies, who are now her adopted step children (they didn't know), all of Columbia Falls; two brothers, Walter (Edye) Wilson of Vaughn and Jesse (Pat) Wilson of Lincoln; Betty Wilson of Great Falls; Uncles, Walter (Kathy) Wilson of Simms; Don (Doris) Wilson of Libby; Rich (Gail) Wilson of Great Falls; best friends Lola (John) Calhoun of Kalispell and Connie Sluder of Helena, and many more nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A Special Message request from Nancy: "I want to give a special "Thank You", with all my heart to Mr. and Mrs. Alan (Nancy) Nicholson and their entire family, as well as the whole office crew, new and old, for their continued love and support and staying with me throughout my battle with cancer from the beginning to the end. I am forever grateful to you all!!" Also to Jill (Bill) Frisbee and Pit Stop crew, thank you for looking after and being there for my baby, Jennifer, and being so flexible and understanding through my fight to live!!

"Also special thanks to Dr. Weiner and Nurse Emily Burton, as well as the whole St. Peters Cancer Center nurses and staff, and all the nurses in Spokane (Tracie, Mike,Fiona, etc.). You have a tough job, but your love and support carried me more than you'll ever know!!

"To all my family and friends who prayed so hard for me and my family, we love you so much and thank you for everything!!"

Funeral Services 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019 at the Blackfoot Valley Bible Church, Lincoln. Please join the family for a Potluck celebrating Nancy's life following this service downstairs of the church.