Frances "Sanny" Elizabeth Wickert, 97, of Winlock, Wash., passed away April 15, 2021, surrounded by her loving family. Sanny was born May 15, 1923, in Evaline, Wash., to James Harrison (J.H.) and Lizzie May (Scotton) England, the youngest daughter of six children. J.H. England was the owner and operator of the England Lumber Company, providing support for the war effort during World War II, and family wage jobs to the community until its destruction by fire in 1951.
In her youth, Sanny enjoyed tap dancing and performing on stage, becoming the 5th Egg Day Queen in 1941. In 1942, Sanny married John E. Wickert in Vancouver, Wash. They built a home in Winlock where they lived for 52 years together. She later worked in the office of the family lumber business as a secretary, until the birth of their children, Evie (Jim) Wheeler, Jan (Patrick) Ambiel, and Charley (Susan).
She was an avid gardener, prolific seamstress, and most notably an exceptionally talented baker of pies, bringing joy and love to her family and community through her delicious repertoire. She was an enthusiastic sports fan and animal lover, and on game days loved to watch the Seahawks, Mariners, and Portland Trailblazers play in the company of family or her beloved cats.
Sanny had seven grandchildren, Heather (Stephen Gallaher) Wheeler, Nick Wheeler, Tiffany Ambiel, Chris (Heath Alsgaard) Ambiel, Stephanie (TJ) Williams, Joey (Jennifer) Wickert, and Gabe (Sydni) Wickert, as well as her "honorary grandson" and former exchange student, Jonas Andreae of Schramberg of Germany. She had five great-grandchildren, Melody, Dorlya, Natalie, Tommy, and Hannah, and was a grandmotherly figure to all children who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her siblings, George (Isabel), Donald (Edith), Jessie (James) Backman, Bessie “Babe” and Frank (Faye); her husband; and her daughter, Evie.
A former member of the Winlock Methodist Church, Sanny carried a deep sense of faith her entire life and a profound awareness of spiritual matters of the heart. She had frequent, personal talks with God, drawing strength and comfort from His presence and the ability to face any obstacle, including the end of her life, with grace, reminding her loved ones, “He’s always taken care of me, why wouldn’t He now?”
Sanny will be remembered for her delicious recipes, joyful, infectious laugh, her open heart, and her incredible memory for birthdays, anniversaries, and important family events. Donations of remembrance may be made to Assured Home Health/Hospice or the American Cancer Society. Her family is thankful for her long, full life, and she will forever be in our hearts. Family will gather for a celebration of life Saturday, June 26, 2021, at 1 p.m., at the Winolequa Memorial Park in Winlock, Wash.
