Erma Marie Hicks, age 79 of Fifield, WI died Tuesday, January 14, 2003 at the Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff, WI. She was born, the daughter of Otto and Frieda, nee Ziemer, Ellman, on February 19, 1923 in Oconto, WI on the family farm. Her early life and schooling were in Oconto, WI. After graduating from the 8th grade she moved to Milwaukee, WI where she worked for her aunt and uncle at American Dry Cleaners. She met Francis M. Hicks while he was serving in the U.S. Army during WW II, they later married on June 19, 1948 in Milwaukee, WI. The couple moved to Fifield, WI in 1949 and in 1951 they established Hicks Landing on the banks of the Sailor Creek Flowage in Fifield. The couple owned and operated the business until his passing in 1987. She continued to operate Hicks Landing until her passing. A pioneer in the fine dining industry, she was perhaps the oldest original builder, owner and operator of an independent supper club in the state of Wisconsin. She touched the lives of many through her years of service and enjoyed all aspects of life. She is survived by two daughters, Marian F. (Michael) Atkinson of Fifield and Connie G. Hicks of Fifield; one granddaughter, Sami (Michael) Pepper of Appleton; two great-grandchildren, Casandra Pepper and Michael Pepper Jr.; one brother, Harvey “Bud” Ellman of Oconto; five sisters, Dorothy (George) Schlosser of Lena, Betty (Clarence) Spice of Lena, Marian “Dolly” Nerenhauser of DePere, Verna Olson of West Lake, OH, and Carol (Jack) Schlorhaufer of Newport, MN; one sister-in-law, Louise Ellman of Oconto; numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Francis M. Hicks in 1987; two brothers, Sonny and Milton Ellman, and two sisters, Laura Whiting and Margaret Borkovec. Funeral srvices will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2003 at 12 noon from Peace Lutheran Church in Park Falls. Rev. John Wilman will officiate. Burial will follow at the Forest Home Cemetery in Fifield. A visitation will be held on Friday, January 17 at Hicks Landing in Fifield from 4 until 8 p.m. with Prayer Vigil at 7 p.m. officiated by Fr. James Jackson and on Saturday from 11 a.m. until the hour of the service at Peace Lutheran Church in Park Falls. Arrangements handled by Novitzke Funeral Home, 715-762-3287
