Christabelle “Chris” DeWald-Bickle, 96, passed away peacefully on December 12, 2024, surrounded by loving family at Ascension Via Christi Village in Hays, Kansas. She was born on May 31, 1928, in Hoisington, Kansas, the daughter of Christian and Marie Elizabeth (Karst) Kramer. Chris was baptized on June 6, 1928, and confirmed in the Christian faith on April 18, 1943.
Chris was a graduate of Hoisington High School Class of 1946. She continued her education at Central Business College in Denver, Colorado. Chris started her career at Hoisington Lutheran Hospital – now Clara Barton Hospital – where she was an office manager for 40 years. She retired December 31, 1990. Chris also served as the secretary and treasurer of Concordia Lutheran Church in Hoisington for many years.
She married Vernon DeWald on June 11, 1950, until he passed on April 14, 1976. On July 6, 2007, she married her high school sweetheart, Don Bickle, at Concordia Lutheran Church.
Survivors include her husband, Don, of Hays; two daughters, Susan Bryant and Lynette Pfannenstiel; two sons, D.G. Bickle and Tim Bickle; grandson, Wyatt Bryant; and great granddaughter, Saige Bryant. With her extended family, she was blessed with an additional eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Chris also had nine nieces and nephews that loved her very much.
She is preceded in death by her parents; and two sisters, Dorothy Minson and Esther Valerius.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation with family receiving guests will be open from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sunday, December 15, 2025, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 16, 2024, at Concordia Lutheran Church, Hoisington, with Pastor Gary Wolf presiding. Memorials have been designated to Concordia Lutheran Church or Fort Hays State University Bickle Scholarship, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, P.O. Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67530.