White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Ardis M. Hickey, 81 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died on Monday, August 19, 2013, at the Buchanan County Health Center Long Term Care in Independence.  She was born on October 18, 1931, in Max, North Dakota, the daughter of C.D. and Gladys Olivia (Thompson) McAtee.  She graduated from high school in Jesup, Iowa, with the Class of 1949.  On November 19, 1949, she and William “Bill” Joseph Hickey were married at St. John’s Catholic Church in Independence.  Mrs. Hickey was a cook at St. John’s School in Independence for 10 years.  But she mainly took care of her family and taught her children and grandchildren to take care of others as well.  She enjoyed sitting on her porch swing, drinking coffee, and watching the grandchildren play.

Mrs. Hickey was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Independence, the Rosary Society and Court Ascension C.D.A.  She was also a member of the U.A.W. Auxiliary and the Buchanan County Health Center Auxiliary and she was a very active member of the Buchanan County Democratic Party.  She was a league bowler in Independence, and had formerly been a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader and a Cub Scout Den Mother.  She liked to play cards (500) and drink coffee with friends.  But most of all, she was a mother who cooked, sewed clothing, and cared for family.

Mrs. Hickey is survived by her husband of 63 years, Bill, 5 daughters, Colleen (Butch) Hunter, Luann (Ron) Pins, and Anita (Dan) Eschen, all of Independence, Iowa, Brenda (Dave) Corkery of Rowley, Iowa, and Threasa (Phil) Fangman of Masonville, Iowa, and 1 son, Willie (Marianne) Hickey of Independence, Iowa.  She is also survived by 20 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, 1 great great granddaughter, 1 brother, Dallas (Tiny) McAtee of Jesup, Iowa, and 2 sisters, Donna Masteller of Jesup, Iowa, and Marlys (Bill) Fuller of Eatonton, Georgia.

She was preceded in death by parents, 2 brothers, Harry McAtee and Roy McAtee, and 3 sisters, Fern Fenner, Hazel Eldridge, and Darlene Ciesielski.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 23, 2013, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Independence.  Rev. Donald Plamondon will be the Celebrant and Fr. Al Vorwald will concelebrate.  Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery in Independence.  Friends may call for visitation from 2:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, August 22^nd, at the White Funeral Home in Independence where a Parish Rosary begins at 3 p.m. and a Vigil Service begins at 7 p.m.

Memorials will be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice.