Jane F. Sicka Van Leeuwen, 70, St. Paul, died Friday, April 16, 2010, at Labette Health in Parsons. Her death was unexpected.

She was born Feb. 2, 1940, in Piqua to John and Emma Westerman Sicka. She lived in Piqua until she moved to Parsons in 1956 at the age of 16. She attended St. John’s Catholic School in Iola from 1954-1956 and graduated from St. Patrick’s Catholic School in Parsons in 1958. Following graduation, she worked at Mercy Hospital in Parsons and at the Census Bureau.

She and Charles J. Van Leeuwen were married Sept. 3, 1960, in St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Piqua. He survives.

Following marriage, the couple made their home on the family farm in St. Paul where they have lived since. She managed and cooked at the Osage Hills Country Club in St. Paul from 1975-1981, then as a media specialist-library aide at St. Paul High School until retiring in May 2006.

She was an active member of St. Francis Catholic Church and its Altar Society where she served as vice-president and secretary/treasurer. She also participated in CCD for 20 years, the American Red Cross for four years, and was a Girl Scout leader for six years. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, attending sporting and academic activities, embroidery work and working with flowers.

Survivors include:

Other survivors include three sons and two daughters-in-law, Kevin Van Leeuwen, Lawrence, Keith and Elaine Van Leeuwen, St. Paul, and Kale and Crystal Van Leeuwen, Shawnee; two daughters and a son-in-law, Karen Van Leeuwen, Erie, and Kim and Chad Newberry, St. Paul; six grandchildren, Jeremy and Joel Van Leeuwen, Jamie Aday and husband Brock, and Kayla, Carly and Clay Newberry; and a sister, Betty McCall, Lowell, Ark.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Charles at birth, and Gerald Sicka; and a sister, Theresa Scheidmeir.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. today at St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul. Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery under the direction of Forbbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, Parsons.

Contributions to St. Francis Catholic Church or Prairie Mission Retirement Village may made in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.