Jason Sickel

Memorial mass for Jason D. Sickel, 46, of Gilbert will be 11 am Saturday, January 21, 2017 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Gilbert with Fr. Michael Garry celebrating. Visitation will be one hour prior to mass at the church. Arrangements are by the Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert. Jason died surrounded by his family following a courageous battle with cancer on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at Essentia Health-Virginia. He was born on August 27, 1970 to Scott and Vicki (Butala) Sickel in Virginia. He grew up on Long Lake in Fayal Township. Jason graduated from Eveleth-Gilbert High School, Class of 1988. It was there that he met his high school sweetheart, Tracy Omersa. The couple was married on August 6, 1994 in Gilbert. Following high school, Jason attended Mesabi Community College and then furthered his education at UMD, where he earned a BS degree in mathematics education. Jason had been employed by the Gilbert IGA, the Eveleth-Gilbert School District, Potlatch/Ainsworth and most recently at Arcelor Mittal Mining Company. Jason also volunteered for the Gilbert Fire Department for nearly twenty years. Jason enjoyed spending time outdoors camping, hunting, and fishing with his family. This past November, Jason was so proud to watch both of his sons shoot their first deer. He took great pleasure watching his sons succeed at both academics and sports. He will be dearly missed by his family. Survivors include his wife of 22 years: Tracy; two sons, Kyle and Jacob; his parents: Scott and Vicki Sickel of Lake Vermilion; one brother: Craig (Christi) Sickel of Lost Lake; grandmother: Ruth Sickel of Eveleth; father-in-law: Tony Omersa; brother-in-law: Scott (Rosanne) Omersa; and sister-in-law: Lori (Earl) Fitzgerald all of Gilbert; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Charles Sickel, Jane and Harold Butala; and mother-in-law, Kathy Omersa.