Elizabeth (Palaski) Hickel

Elizabeth (Palaski) Hickel (1929-2025) Grand Rapids, MI Liz Hickel, 96, died peacefully on Sunday, September 28, 2025 at her residence in Valley Pines Assisted Living, Grand Rapids, MI. Having survived kidney cancer years ago, she is now at rest. Liz has achieved her heavenly reward after a long and rewarding life serving her family and others. Elizabeth Marie Palaski was born April 18, 1929 in Massillon, Ohio, to Martin and Frances (Mrofka) Palaski. She was the first-born of their nine children, out-lived her eight younger siblings (seven brothers and one sister). She received her Sacraments and primary education at St. Mary Catholic Church and School, graduated from Washington High School in Massillon in 1947. She completed her nurse training at Timken Mercy Hospital (as then known) in Canton and was certified a Registered Nurse — skills she was able to apply not only caring for her upcoming large family but when employed at health-care facilities during their many moves. In 1950, while in Nursing School, she and her roommate attended a function at Fenn College in Cleveland where the roommate’s boyfriend was enrolled. They arranged for Liz to have a blind date with a fellow Fenn College student, Stephen John Hickel, Jr. Liz was sufficiently impressed to invite this young man to visit her in Massillon. He did so and was treated like a king by Liz’s mom, Frances Palaski. This prompted a return visit, and so on, and so on. On November 22, 1951, Thanksgiving Day morning, she and Steve married at St. Mary Church in Massillon. The Hickel’s were truly a “MOBILE” family, relocating often with Steve’s frequent career moves as an Engineer. They had thirteen (13) homes together. Through it all Liz told the kids to take care of each other, to “Love One Another” — advice eventually inscribed on a plaque for each child’s family. Steve and Liz enjoyed playing bridge and made friends doing so everywhere they lived. When their youngest child entered kindergarten, Liz re-entered the work force as a nurse. She kept to that profession for most of her life; she did become a Consultant for Color Me Beautiful, and ended up as a Real Estate Agent. Steve’s last position, when they were empty-nesters, was in the Manufacturing Technology Department at Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI. Steve and Liz enjoyed their unusual long-term residence, 30-some years in the Canadian Lakes community in Stanwood, MI, a good home and a vacation retreat for their family. In 2015 they moved to the Villa Maria Home in Grand Rapids. Steve died on October 4, 2017, seven weeks short of the 66th anniversary of their marriage. Liz’s declining health eventually necessitated the move to an Assisted Living Home. Liz is survived by nine of their ten children: Steve (Jean) Hickel; Mike Hickel; Mary Hickel (Doug Johnson); Susan (Matt) Skinner; Diane (Bill) Hughes; Matthew Hickel (former wife Kerrie); Vince (Jill) Hickel; Tim Hickel (Tom Angyal; former wife Sue Hiler); and Jennifer (Nick) Genovese. In addition to her husband Steve, she was pre-deceased by their son Jeff Hickel, Mary’s twin brother; Jeff’s widow Michelle survives. To carry on her legacy, Liz leaves a family of twenty-five (25) grandchildren and thirty (30) great-grandchildren. A Visitation with Liz’s family will be held at St. Barbara Church in Massillon, OH, at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be that same day, at 10:30, Fr. John Sheridan, Celebrant. Eulogies will be shared during the luncheon which follows Mass. Burial of Steve and Liz’s cremains will occur at a private ceremony in Calvary Cemetery, Massillon, OH, allowing them to be in company with Liz’s dozen Palaski kin-folk present at Calvary. Memorial contributions to honor Liz can be made to institutions as the donor wishes.

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Elizabeth (Palaski) Hickel

April 18, 1929 - September 28, 2025