Born on March 4, 1941, in Milton, IA, Leroy was the son of Oramel and Rosemary (Albertson) Bickel.
Leroy married his high school sweetheart, Sandra Van Ringelestein, on his birthday in 1961 in Cedar, IA, ensuring he’d never forget their anniversary. Their 65 year marriage was blessed with five children: Julie, Amie, Eric, Nathan, and Tyler.
Leroy graduated from Fremont High School in Fremont, IA in 1959 and served in the U.S. Army Reserve during the Cuban Missile Crisis, stationed in Mound, MN and Alexandria, VA.
In 1962, Leroy came to Burlington and worked for Midwest Biscuit Co. while studying diesel and auto mechanics. In 1965, Leroy purchased his neighbor’s (George Muenzenmeyer) lawnmower repair shop while balancing multiple jobs, including work at Sylvania (Federal-Mogul), Jerry Hunt’s DX station on South Hill, running the Texaco service station on Roosevelt Ave., and driving a school bus.
In 1972, Leroy relocated his lawnmower business to Kirkwood St., opted out of the service station business, and opened Bickel’s Bicycle and Lawnmower Shop with an initial inventory of thirty cruiser bicycles. Within three years, he became a Schwinn dealer and expanded into chainsaws. As business demands increased, so did the need for space. In 1986, Leroy moved Bickel’s to its current location on Agency Rd. In the late 1990s, Leroy sold the chainsaw and lawnmower business to focus on bicycles and commercial and residential fitness equipment.
Raised on his Van Buren County family farm, Leroy carried a strong Midwest work ethic and a knack for making things work right. Resourceful and scrappy, he believed in function over looks. Zip ties, duct tape, bungy cords, hose clamps, drywall screws, safety flags, and magic markers were always close at hand. He was of a generation with a focus on perseverance and adaptability. From humble beginnings, he lived by doing what needed to be one and found his best work in what he loved.
Bicycles made Leroy happy.
After riding RAGBRAI III, Leroy co-founded Bike Burlington, now one of Iowa’s oldest cycling clubs, and went on to ride twenty-seven more times. He also led the Wednesday Night Dinner rides, where time on the bike was best followed by fried chicken, cold beer, and good company. Known for his hearty appetite, Leroy was never far from one of his signature Ziplock bag creations.
Leroy earned numerous dealership awards, including being named Top 10 Midwest Schwinn Dealer in 1999. While he appreciated the recognition, he took the most pride in giving job opportunities to young people and helping those in need. Deeply involved in the community, Leroy hosted bike safety fairs and BMX races in town and at 7-Ponds. He gave his time generously to countless organizations, including Boy Scouts of America, Jaycees Burlington Chamber, Optimist International, Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce, Burlington Art Guild, Burlington Historical Society, and Hoover Nature Trail Committee while also staying active at First United Methodist Church, from teaching Sunday school to serving meals and washing dishes.
In retirement, Leroy cherished time with his grandchildren and any chance to ride, whether on the Natchez Trace or alongside friends on his e-bike. In 2004, he and Sandie rode in the Ride for the Roses in Austin, TX alongside Lance Armstong. For Leroy, it was never about speed, but the joy of the ride. He also loved quiet moments – stargazing from his back deck, feeding geese in his backyard pond, taking in the ocean at the Florida Keys, and exploring history on road trips, always stopping to read markers and to visit Indian mounds.
Leroy lived a full life, knew no stranger, and will be remembered for his fairness, work ethic, signature dimpled smile, and unmistakable radio voice echoing, “Bicycles, Bicycles, Bicycles!”
Leroy will be greatly missed and remembered by his wife Sandie of Burlington, sister Rachel (Don) Krouse of Effingham, IL, brother Keith Bickel of Marshalltown, IA, his five children: Julie (Craig) Smith of Burlington, Amie (Ron) Dunkin of Burlington, Eric (Anna) Bickel of St. Louis, MO; Nathan (Valerie) Bickel of Milwaukee, WI; and Tyler (Melinda) Bickel of Burlington; ten grandchildren: Adam Smith, Hannah (Brett) Miller, Samantha (Cameron) Hertzler, Josh Smith, Natalie (David) Smith, Matt (Donna) Dunkin, Lauren Bickel, Zoe Bickel, Edward Bickel, and Kimberly Bickel, and several nieces and nephews.
Leroy was preceded in death by his parents, brother Dean (Judy) Bickel, and grandson Riley Bickel.
Visitation will be from noon until 7:00 PM with the family to receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Monday, March 30, 2026 at Prugh Funeral Service.
The funeral service for Mr. Bickel will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at First United Methodist Church with Pastor Anthony M. DeVaughn. Full military honors will be rendered by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard. A time of food and fellowship will be held The Loft on Jefferson following the service. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials have been established for First United Methodist Church and Bike Burlington.
Cheers to a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Happy Rides and Tailwinds.
Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting LeRoy’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
Born March 9, 1934, in Burlington, she was the daughter of John L. and Alma Burgus Niehaus. On July 28, 1974, she married Martin E. Lehmann in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in rural Sperry, Iowa. He passed on August 18, 2011.
After high school, Gloria attended Iowa Wesleyan College where she earned her degree in education.
Gloria was a 4th grade teacher at Huron School for many years.
She was a devoted member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. Gloria had a deep love for nature; she enjoyed caring for animals, watching birds, and surrounding herself with flowers. She also had a sweet tooth, especially for chocolate cake with ice cream or even a simple piece of chocolate. In her free time, Gloria followed the Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team.
Survivors include her sister-in-law, Bonnie Niehaus of Colorado, two nieces, Amanda Niehaus of Brisbane, Australia and Kari Chapman of Colorado; two great-nieces, Bo Chapman of Colorado and Nelle Wilson of Brisbane, Australia; step-daughter, Margaret Russo, one step-granddaughter, Tracy, three step-great grandchildren, Destiny, Timothy and Beau; and close friends, Jon and Cindy Fye of Sperry.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, brother Gary and step-granddaughter, Shelly.
Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM, Friday, March 27, 2026 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mediapolis.
The funeral service for Mrs. Lehmann will be 11:00 AM Friday, March 27, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran Church. A private burial will be held.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.
Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Gloria’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
Nancy Anne Farquharson Conrad, 92, of Mt. Pleasant, formerly of New London, died Friday evening, March 20, 2026 at Soldiers and Sailors Park Place, Mt. Pleasant. She was born August 5, 1933, in Albany, New York to John Edward and Adelaide “Della” (Dost) Farquharson. Her mother died immediately after giving birth to Nancy and her twin, Frank. In 1938, her father married Celeste W. Wilkin, who became a mother to the twins.
She graduated from Columbia High School in East Greenbush, New York, where she was a cheerleader and played field hockey. She continued her education and graduated from the College of St. Rose in Nursing in 1955 and worked at Sloan Kettering in New York City. She fondly remembered visits to her grandpa’s farm and trips to New York City.
On July 8, 1961, Nancy married Ernest Conrad, and they lived in Clinton Corners, New York where she worked in nursing. The family relocated to Iowa in 1976 and in 1984, she earned her master’s degree from the University of Iowa. She worked for 31 years as an associate nursing professor at Iowa Wesleyan College while continuing to work as a practicing nurse in several different medical establishments. Nancy was an active member of St. Alphonsus Church and after retiring from IWC as Associate Professor Emeritus of Nursing, she volunteered with many organizations in the community.
Nancy is survived by her children; Susan (David) Martin, Tim (Karen) Conrad, Steve (Julie) Conrad, Joe (Ros) Conrad, and Don (Kari) Conrad, grandchildren; Emma Martin LaPlant, Liv Martin, Josh Conrad, Nick Conrad, Sarah Conrad, Amelia Conrad, Elaina Conrad and several great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, stepmother, brother Frank and her grandson Ethan.
Memorials may be made to All God’s Creatures Animal Shelter in Mt. Pleasant or the Alzheimer’s Association.
According to her wishes, her body has been cremated. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
