Dr. Derek L. Shickell
August 09, 2010
Dr. Derek L. Shickell, 42, was carried to heaven in the arms of Jesus on August 9, 2010. Services for Dr. Shickell will be held at Valley Evangelical Free Church, 4343 Fuller Road, West Des Moines. A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 12 from 6 to 8 pm and the funeral service will be on Friday, August 13 at 1:00 pm. A reception will follow the burial at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines.
Dr. Shickell was born in Denver, CO, the son of Fred and Charlyn (Frahm) Shickell on January 12, 1968. He attended Tri-County Schools in DeWitt, NE for K-9th grade where his father, Dr. Fred Shickell was Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Shickell is a graduate of East High School in Lincoln, NE. He earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. He holds a Master's Degree from the Chicago Medical School in Medical Radiation Physics, and completed a three month Physics internship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska Medical School in Omaha, NE with a Doctor of Medicine Degree. He completed his residency in Radiation Oncology at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland and was Board certified in Radiation Oncology. He was on staff at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester for four years in the Radiation Oncology Department and was currently on staff at Mercy Cancer Center Radiation Oncology, Des Moines, Iowa.
Derek was an amazing and devoted son, husband and father and lived his life for the Lord. He was a compassionate and caring Radiation Oncologist at Mercy Cancer Center and previously at Mayo Clinic. There are no words to describe his kindness and caring.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Gwendolen; children, John and Abigail Ryan, Hannah Shickell; parents, Drs. Fred and Charlyn Shickell of Lincoln, NE; grandmothers, Rose Frahm of Ceresco, NE and Marion Knoll of Burt, IA; sister, Dana (Criss) Butler of Omaha, NE; parents-in-law, Roger and Linda Tjarks of Titonka, IA; brother-in-law, Travis Tjarks of Buffalo Center, IA; nephews, Seth, Caleb and Ethan Butler, Jared and Jacob Tjarks. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Makayla Claire; grandparents, William and Ethel Shickell and LeRoy Frahm.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Mercy Cancer Center or to his children’s college fund. Online condolences may be made at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Elisha Rentfrow
12/24/2011
I am so sorry to find about Derek's passing. I was deeply touched by the generosity and care of Fred Shickell and always remember how he talked about Derek- with much respect and admiration for all he was accomplishing for the Lord's glory. I am so pleased to know He is comfortably home with our precious Jesus. With much respect-Elisha Rentfrow
Deb Reinhart
09/08/2010
I just received a letter in the mail notifying me of Dr. Shickell's death.
I was a patient of his and am a one-year breast cancer survivor. I can still
hear his words when I was in last (July 2010) telling me I was healthy and to
go live life to the fullest! He was so encouraging as I went through radiation
and the follow up appointments. I'm going to miss him very much. My deepest
sympathy to the Dr. Shickell family.
Kathee and Jay Larson
08/21/2010
We were so sorry to hear about the passing of your husband, father, son, and grandson. He will be missed by so many people, but especially his family.
Korey Zwiefel
08/19/2010
Gwen, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I am at a loss for words but just know that you are in my prayers for strength and peace in this time of great saddness.
Korey
Angie (Schuerman) Meyer
08/18/2010
I was saddened by the news about Derek...although I had not seen Derek since our early years of high school at Tri County, I always had fond memories of him and was happy to hear of his successful career but more importantly his full life, including beloved family and friends. You have all been in my thoughts and prayers. Many blessings and my sympathy, Angie (Schuerman) Meyer, Tri County Class of 1986
Rev. Bob and Virginia Link
08/16/2010
Our condolences to you on the loss of Derek. We have had you in our continual prayers, and will continue to do so even more now. We lost our son, Daniel at the age of 45 with ALS and he left 3 children. His wife, Holley had died of cancer two years prior to Dan's death so their children are now with an Aunt and Uncle in Spokane. I share this to let you know that the pain will be shared...Derek is at home with His Lord, and his family will always be in our Lord's presence and love.
Bob and Diane Blackwell
08/15/2010
Gwen,
We were so sad to hear of your families loss. Derek was special to many people and we all feel the loss of such a special person. May the memories of the time you were together give comfort. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God give you comfort.
Lisa Ehrle
08/12/2010
Gwen, so sorry for your loss and your children's. Let me know if I can do anything. We are thinking of you,
Love,
Lisa, Madeline & Abby Ehrle
Debra Haeffner
08/13/2010
It is with great sadness that I write this message to the family. I have worked with Charlyn for several years and although have never met Derek, there have been some of the most beautiful stories shared over the years that truly exampled what a most amazing man he was in every way -- as a son, a husband, a father, a man of faith and a doctor! Reggie and I are very sorry for the loss and have all of you in our thoughts during this most difficult time. Take care.
Vernon & Deanna Robbins
08/12/2010
Dear Fred, Charlyn, and Gwendolen,
We are deeply shocked and saddened by the death of your son, Fred and Charlyn, and your husband, Gwendolen. As we gather at the Westmar College Reunion this weekend, we shall share your sadness and pray for your strength to continue to live in God's love and presence. May you be blessed in every way as you continue life's challenges.
In Christ's love,
Vernon and Deanna Moritz Robbins
Deb Hawkins
08/12/2010
Dr. Shickell was my Radiation Oncologist at Mayo when I was diagnosed in 2005. He was so nice and comforting; he made my trips for radiation bearable. He will certainly be missed. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Jim & Ann Tornabane
08/12/2010
Dear Shickell Family,
We met Derek at the Mayo Clinic in December 2002 when Jim was diagnosed with rectal cancer. He spent a lot of time with us explaining the radiation prodedure. Out of all the doctors we spent time with and for whatever reason, he was the only one who stuck in our minds and hearts. Jim is still cancer free. I will always remember him as the one who seemed to care a great deal. He was the only doctor I ever hugged. We are sorry to hear about his death. I hope he went peacefully and you were able to spend quality time with him. He was very special.
Jim and Ann Tornabane
956 Tower Ridge Hollow
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Stephanie
08/12/2010
Derek was my friend and teacher. He was one of the funniest, most intelligent people I've had the pleasure of knowing. He will always have the love of his friends, and our thoughts are with his family. He loved his work, and in his family, attained what he wanted out of life. Stephanie Weiss (Boston, MA)
LauraLee Woodruff
08/12/2010
Nathan and i send our sincerest condolences and sympathy to you all. the depth of your loss and sadness can only be imagines. Charlyn, we are thinking about you particularly every day here at work. may your memories bring smiles even in your loss, and may many blessings remain with your family.
LauraLee Woodruff
Rev. Julia Rendon
08/12/2010
I am so sorry to read of Dr. Shickell's untimely death. I was just in a patient's room a couple weeks ago--a parishioner of mine--and Dr. Shickell was offering the most pastoral of medical care, helping her process her diagnosis and think about the decisions she'd have to make. I have heard from my parishioner for several years about what a wonderful doctor he was, and I saw it for myself that day. All my sympathy for his family; may God walk with you every step of this painful journey and take you to a place of comfort and hope.