Emery Fick obituary

    Angels came down and carried Emery to heaven on January 21, 2022. He died peacefully at home after being cared for by his loving family. Emery Lawrence Fick, 86, was born at home in rural Lake City on September 13, 1935. He was the oldest child of Lawrence and Harriet (Hoeft) Fick.  
    Emery attended Jacksonville School through 8th grade (a one-room schoolhouse, located across the road from their farm).  After 8th grade, he stayed home and farmed with his father.
    He served as Sergeant in the Army Reserves from 1957-1963. The 544th Army Reserve Unit was called to active duty in 1961 and he served for 10 months at Fort Polk, La., during the Berlin Crisis.
    Soon after he returned home, Emery married his life-long love, Vicky Schumacher, on September 15, 1962. They had five children: Connie, Kristi, Jim, Jason (died in infancy) and Kendra.        
    As an active community member, Emery served as supervisor on the Gillford Township Board for nine years, was an active member of the Wabasha County Cattlemen’s Association where he served as secretary and president. He was also a member of the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association and served as district chairman for four years. In 2003, he received the Minnesota State Cattleman of the Year Award. He was a lifetime member of the Lake City Sportsman’s Club and the Lake City American Legion Post 110, serving as commander for 18 years. Emery was also a member of Lincoln Trinity Lutheran Church in rural Lake City.
    Emery and Vicky were recognized for their community service and were honored to be the Grand Marshals in the Lake City Waterski Days Parade in 2016.
    In the early 1980s, he started his cattle-hauling business. Emery loved picking up cattle and visiting with all the area farmers; and looked forward to going to the Zumbrota Livestock Auction Market every week. He retired from hauling cattle in 2019.
    Emery was a farmer through and through. He milked cows, raised beef cattle and grew crops his entire life. Springtime would find him tilling the soil and planting seeds, summertime he baled hay and prayed for timely rain and in the fall, he reaped what he sowed. He continued to farm through the 2021 harvest season when he drove the combine for the last time.
    He spent many Saturday nights playing cards with the Oak Center card party bunch. He loved to dance, get together with family and friends, enjoyed listening to country western music (the real stuff) and liked to throw a good party. His passion for John Deere was evident in the tractors he drove, equipment he used, all the way down to the plates in the kitchen. He was up to date on all the news and farming innovations by reading every newspaper and magazine from cover to cover. Emery was always up for a good laugh and quick with his wit until the end.
    Breakfast was his favorite meal and the last several years he preferred to eat out with family and friends. Emery said he had a good life, a good family, and that he was successful. May he rest in peace.
    Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Vicky; and their children: Connie Fick (Dan “Chum” Weber), Eau Claire, Wis.; Kristi (Russ) Huls, Cold Spring, Minn.; Jim (Lea) Fick, Lake City; and Kendra (Brian) Veronen, Lake City. He is further survived by his grandchildren, whom he loved dearly: Kayla, Whitney, and Andrew (Kimee) Fick; Erin and William Huls; Austin, Ashley, Aiden and Alec Veronen; great grandchildren: Timothy and Axton. Brother, Jerry Fick and sister, Diane Siems-Lemke, several sisters and brothers–in-law and many nieces and nephews.
     He was preceded in death by his infant son, Jason; parents, Lawrence and Harriet; sister, Mary Lamb; in-laws: Harold and Bernice Schumacher, Red Siems, Jerry Jones, Dick Lemke, Arlene Fick and Karen Schumacher; niece, Anne Schumacher; and niece-in-law, Karen Fick.
    Visitation will be Saturday, January 29, 2022, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Lake City, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and again one hour before the service. Funeral services will be Sunday, January 30, 2022, at 2 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Lake City, with Pastor Dan Reich officiating. Military Rites will be by the Lake City American Legion Post #110 and Lake City VFW Post #8729. Memorials are preferred.
    Arrangements by Schleicher Funeral Homes, Lake City Chapel.  Guest register may be signed at www.schleicherfuneralhomes.com.