Esther Lillie Bickel

Esther Lillie (Lil) Bickel, 10/26/1927-12/12/2018

Lil was born to Stephen and Laverna Thomas 91 years ago in the family homestead near Overland Trail and West La Porte Avenue. Lil and her older sister, Dorothy walked or rode the horse to Mountain View Elementary School. After her parents' divorce, she moved with her mother to La Porte Avenue in town where she then rode her bicycle to Old Lincoln Junior High School. She enjoyed riding the trolley to and from Old Fort Collins High School. Lil graduated in 1945 and took a telegraphy course at the Emily Griffith Opportunity School so she could work for the Union Pacific Railroad at different stations from Cheyenne west to Rock Springs, WY, living in old converted boxcars. She played fast pitch softball and especially enjoyed roller derby. Lil was proud of the gold front tooth that resulted from an encounter on wheels. Thus, began a lifetime of being an independent, strong, feisty yet sweet little lady!

On a triple date to the Jitney dance in Longmont, Lil met Nyle Bickel. They soon married, and Lil extended her love of wheels to driving Nyle's gravel hauling trucks, an unusual sight in the 50's. They had two children, Sandra and Monty. Lil showed her strength of character when Nyle was seriously injured in a trucking accident. She cared for him for over a year, managed the house and raised the children. The family enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, bowling and playing golf. Lil was an outstanding bowler, participating in a variety of leagues and winning many tournaments here and around the country. She received a lifetime participation award from the USBC at the age of 88, and continued bowling through the age of 90. A member of the City Park Nine Ladies golf league since the 60's, Lil also played golf through the age of 90 and loved her friendship with the many golfers over the decades. She continued to roller skate into her 80's and amazed those who would see her graceful dance skating.

Interested in even bigger wheels, Lil became a school bus driver for Poudre School District in 1965 and drove for 12 years before they tapped her incredible organization and head for details. She became a bus operations supervisor and then the transportation planner, responsible for routing all the buses. Lil transitioned the district routing from paper maps on the wall to one of the first computerized programs. A highlight of her summers were the trips to the mid-west to bring back new buses: she delighted in planning the trips and recording all the details. Retiring in 1992, Lil was an easygoing companion, traveling on various trips for several years with her lifelong friend, Betty Moore, within the United States and in Europe. She also loved riding thousands of miles around the country with Monty for his bowling alley business. Camping continued with trips in her daughter's motor home. A regular volunteer at her daughter's school, Lil truly enjoyed the detailed work of helping prepare and organize the state testing materials, making it fun by sharing stories and laughs.

Though slowed by congestive heart failure and confused by dementia in her final years, Lil remained positive and as active as she could be, enjoying and making the most of each minute, sweet and strong in spirit to the end. We now envision mom dancing and rolling on in heaven!

Lil is survived by her children, Sandy and Monty (Michelle); and grandchildren, Kevin and Krystal. The family had a private celebration of her life.

Heartfelt thanks to the staff at Centre Avenue Health and Rehabilitation and Pathways Hospice for the excellent, kind, loving care given to Lil in her final months.

If so inclined, the family request donations in Lil's honor to the Alzheimer's Association act.alz.org/donate.