Irene Hickam, 84 of Sterling passed away on Friday, February 2, 2018. Visitation will be from 1 -6 pm, Tuesday, February 6 at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home. A funeral service will held at 10:30 am, Wednesday, February 7, at the Sterling Foursquare Church with Pastor Ben Hackbarth officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery.

Ruth Irene was born February 18, 1933 in Lamar, Colorado to Ireland Everett and Velma Leota (Eckert) Stephens. Irene grew up as a pastor's daughter and moved many times during her childhood. She married Alex Russell Hickam on May 1, 1955 in Boonville, Missouri. They moved to Sterling in 1961. She was a proud Avon representative for many years. Irene's hobbies included plastic canvas, painting, crocheting, and embroidering. She enjoyed spending time with family and especially loved her grandchildren. She was a longtime member of the Sterling Foursquare Church.

Irene is survived by her children, Michael (Joan) Hickam, Penny (Shane) Lechman and Kim (Mark) Fuller all of Sterling, CO; grandchildren, Kristine Rodine, Stephen Hickam, Ashley Ruiz, Hannah Miller, Kaitlyn Shelton, Keegan Fuller, Skylar Hickam, Kai Fuller, Noah Fuller and Shane Lechman; great-grandchildren, Alex Rodine, Gabriel, Carter, Everett and Aubrey Hickam and Kenna and Kylie Ruiz; sister, Claire (Bob) Wynn; brother-in-law, Everett Hickam, sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy (Elmer) Acton; sister-in-law, Wanda Schull; uncle, Don Eckert and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

She is preceded in death by her parents and husband, Alex "Russ" Hickam.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sterling Foursquare Church in care of Chaney-Reager Funeral Home, PO Box 1046, Sterling, CO 80751.