Kay Marie Van Sickle

Kay Marie Van Sickle (Martin, Ocken), age 67, of Milaca passed away June 12, 2019 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Memorial services will be held June 22, 2019 at 1:00 PM at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Milaca.  Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

She was born July 2, 1951, the daughter of Raymond and Twila (McNamara) Martin.  She was raised in small town Browerville on a farm which is where her passion for country living, home cooking, and love for horses and animals all began.  She later moved to Richfield where she graduated high school and met and married Raymond Ocken which resulted in two children, son Shawn and daughter Shannon. Kay remarried the love of her life Gary Van Sickle of Montevideo on October 5, 1985.  They moved to Milaca from Richfield in 1994 when she and Gary started Van Sickle Trucking.   Kay would say some of her favorite memories were times spent on lakes, trails, and the bear refuge in Northern Minnesota with Gary, her niece Lisa, Mike and Laurie, and her good friend Peggy.  Through the years nothing brought a bigger smile to her face then visits from her beloved grandchildren.

Kay’s love for her friends and family was only matched by the love her friends and family had for her.

She is survived by son Shawn (Erika) Ocken of Lakeville, daughter Shannon Ocken of Park Rapids; step-daughters Shelly (Trevor) Reiten of Hutchinson and Dawn (Glenn Gentilin) Van Sickle of New York, Sister Carol (Jim) Marlow of Browerville.  10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband Gary Van Sickle, Parents Raymond and Twila Martin, Mother in love Jean Ocken and father in law Jay Ocken. 

The family is asking in lieu of gifts, money and flowers that you please make a donation in honor of Kay to the American Cancer Society.