Amelia J. (Millie) Cassidy

Amelia Jane (Jenkin) Hickisch Cassidy, better known as Millie by her friends, peacefully completed her life’s journey on Sunday, July 31, 2016, at the age of 92.

She was born in Ironwood, Michigan, on September 14, 1923, to James and Clara (Guck) Jenkin. She graduated from high school in 1941, the only member of her family to earn a high school diploma. Following high school graduation, she moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she lived with her oldest sister, Clara. It was in Milwaukee that she met her first husband, Hugo Henry Hickisch, Jr. They were married on September 5, 1943; and he preceded her in death on November 10, 1951, after contracting and succumbing to polio. Amelia and Hugo had three children, James, Nora, and Patricia.

Following Hugo’s death, she moved with her three young children to La Crosse, Wisconsin, to be near her mother-in-law. It was there that she met her second husband, (Donald) Robert Cassidy. They were married on March 28, 1953, creating an instant family consisting of her three children, James, Nora, and Patricia, and his two children, Robert and Marita. He preceded her in death on April 30, 1988. Amelia and Robert together had seven children: Kathy, Patrick I (deceased), Patrick II, Thomas, Mary, Barbara, and Ann.

When Amelia’s fingers were still nimble, she enjoyed sewing and working on craft projects. She also volunteered at Gundersen Lutheran for many years. Mom loved reading as well as playing BINGO, cards, and board games—especially Fast Track—and was a force to be reckoned with. Mom was a generous, gentle soul who loved each of us unconditionally. Family was her No. 1 priority; and she never missed a holiday celebration, family get-together, birthday, anniversary, or an opportunity to tell us we were loved.

Amelia was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who always put the needs of her family first. She was a devout Catholic, and her faith in God sustained her throughout her life.

She leaves behind 9 children, 14 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren who were always on her mind and in her heart. She is survived by her children: Dr. Robert (Karen) Cassidy, Nora (Robert) Franklin, Patricia (Richard) Malinowski, Kathy (Thomas) Zieja, Patrick (Kathleen) Cassidy, Thomas (Ellie) Cassidy, Mary (Richard) Griffin, Barbara (Daniel) Fitzsimmons, and Ann (Joseph) Beranek; her grandchildren: James Hickisch; Bobby (Celia) Hickisch; Nathan (Melinda) Schubert; Rachel (Timothy) Trailer; Andrea (Tommy) Stanek; Caitlin Cassidy and Robert Cassidy; Samantha Abplanalp; Rebekah, Kaleb, and Cassidy Fitzsimmons; and Kelsey, Ryan, and Megan Beranek; her great-grandchildren: Hugo Hickisch; Lauren and Katie Schubert; Titus, Amelia (Mia), Madeline, and Joseph Trailer; Jada, Adan, Levi, Seth, and Drew Stanek; and Audrianna and Anthony Fitzsimmons. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Carolin Hickisch; her sister-in-law, Barbara Swertfeger; her niece, Janet Kunczak; and many other nieces and nephews.

Amelia was preceded in death by her first husband, Hugo Hickisch, Jr., her second husband, D. Robert Cassidy; his daughter, Marita Cassidy; her sons, James Hugo Hickisch and Patrick Dennis Cassidy I; her infant granddaughter, Amelia Hickisch; her parents, James and Clara Jenkin; twin brothers, Fred and James; and six sisters, Clara Biwersi, Mary Schweig, Agnes Ratliff, Delphine Johnson, Doris Thompson, and Celia Jenkin.

The family would like to thank the staff at Brookdale Assisted Living, Gundersen Hospice in La Crosse, and Dr. Caroline Fisher of Mayo for their compassion and care.

Millie lived her life humbly and with a quiet strength, never complaining as the aging process overtook her body. Even while dealing with health issues and the changes they brought to her life, she retained her sense of humor and never-ending optimism, always looking ahead and remaining positive about the future and where ever the next phase in life would take her. She is already greatly missed.

Visitation for family and friends will be held from 5 to 7:00 PM on Thursday, August 4, at Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home, 1501 West Avenue S., La Crosse. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM, on Friday, August 5, at Mary Mother of the Church Parish, 2006 Weston St. Rev. Brian D. Konopa will officiate. A visitation will also be form 9:30 AM until the time of Mass at Church on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to New Horizons Shelter and Women’s Center, Mary Mother of the Church, or Salvation Army.

Rest in peace Mom, You’ve earned it.