Gene Thomas Hickman,86, of Axtell, Kansas died on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at the Life Care Center of Seneca.

Gene was born on October 24, 1934 on a farm near Pawnee City, Nebraska to Thomas and Rose Mitchell Hickman. He attended Pleasant Ridge District 26 north of Baileyville; graduating from the 8^th Grade. He attended Sts. Peter & Paul High School, graduating with the class of 1952. As a young man he worked on the family farm and for the Soil Conservation Office. In 1956, he joined the US Army, he was honorably discharged in 1963.

Gene married Eleanor Fern Finney on October 11, 1975 in Amarillo, Texas. The couple celebrated 33 years of marriage, prior to her death on November 8, 2008. Gene was employed by Jenson Construction in Beatrice and for Meintz Brother Construction Company; prior to working for Iowa Beef Processors, Inc (IBP). He worked for IBP for many years before he retired. The couple retired to Trenton, Mo and in 2005, moved to Axtell, Kansas.

Gene was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, the Axtell Knights of Columbus and the American Legion Post 214. Gene enjoyed being in his yard mowing and growing vegetables. He also enjoyed woodworking and refinishing pieces to their more beautiful state. Gene was a collector of model cars and beer steins.

Besides his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter Jennifer Ann Sandbothe; three brothers, Rene Hickman and twins, Richard and Kenneth Hickman.

He is survived by a daughter, Denise Marie (Randy) Sandbothe of Walnut, Iowa; siblings, Zita (Robert) Osterhaus of Summerfield and William (Linda) Hickman of Clay Center; five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Axtell, at 10AM on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. A Rosary will be prayed on Tuesday evening at 7PM at the Church. Burial will be in St. Bridget’s Cemetery.

Memorials may be left to St. Michael’s Church and/or the Axtell American Legion.