Obituaries

Verona/ Monticello- We are sad to announce that Vicki Ann Scheel (nee Banks), age 72, passed away on December 25th, 2023, after suffering from a stroke. Vicki was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and wife with a zest for life. She will be greatly missed.

Vicki was born in Macomb, IL, May 7,1951 to William and Hazel Banks. Vicki grew up with two brothers Mike and Kent in Illinois, moving frequently to keep up with her energetic father Bill. Vicki, being the middle child and only girl, was a force to be reckoned with for her two brothers and parents. She was full of life, had a quick wit and wasn’t afraid to tell you how it was. Vicki enjoyed dancing and music, fashion, and loved to be the life of the party. She graduated from Freeport High School in 1969 then attended Northern Illinois University in DeKalb and graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1975. In 1976 Vicki moved to Battle Creek, MI, where her sons, Paul and Jesse, were born.

In 1980, Vicki moved with her family to Verona, WI, and remained in Southern Wisconsin for the rest of her life. Vicki was an original working mom, balancing the demands of parenting while pursuing a successful career in medical records management and healthcare administration. Somehow, she also found the time and energy to complete a Master's Degree in Healthcare Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1991. Vicki held leadership positions at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, Monroe Clinic, and finally Upland Hills Health in Dodgeville, WI, until she retired in 2017.

She married the love of her life, Barry Scheel, in 1996, blending and expanding their families together to create something larger and more joyous than before. Because of her deep love for children, Vicki was a substitute teacher in Monticello, WI, after retirement. She enjoyed traveling with her husband Barry to visit their grandchildren and family around the country as well as their timeshare in Breckenridge, CO. Vicki took two trips to Asia with her son Paul’s family and visited Scotland and Ireland with her husband.

Vicki’s faith was important to her throughout her life and was a dedicated member of Blackhawk Church. She loved cooking for her family, sewing, gardening, dancing and music. Vicki was a trusted confidant and adviser to her friends and family, always willing to help someone in need. She had a deep sense of adventure and was quick with a laugh or funny story. Vicki became a breast cancer survivor in 2019. Even when ill, she remained an active grandmother to all her grandchildren, taking care of her granddaughter Evelyn as a baby and staying in touch through video calls throughout the pandemic. Unfortunately, Vicki’s declining health in her last few years prevented her from living the life she wanted. Even then her focus was the well-being of her family over her own.

Vicki is survived by her two sons, Paul (Kara) Lynch and Jesse (Melissa) Lynch from her first marriage and her grandchildren Luke, William, Evelyn and Andrew. She is also survived by her husband of 27 years, Barry Scheel, and her stepdaughters Rachel (Matt) Rodgers and Corrie (John) Rosensteel and her grandchildren Eden, Jubilee, Griffin and Simone.

A Memorial Service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Blackhawk Church, 5935 Astor Dr., Fitchburg, WI 53711. A visitation will take place one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the church.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

Verona Chapel

220 Enterprise Drive

608-845-6625