Kerry Ellen Hickenbottom

Kerry Ellen Hickenbottom of Fairfield, Iowa went to be with her Lord and Savior at 9:40 a.m. Thursday, March 7, 2013 in Zion, Illinois at the Cancer Treatment Center of America after battling an infection for several weeks.
Kerry was diagnosed with Philadelphia positive, adult, acute lymphoblastic leukemia in November of 2011 and had an allogenic stem cell transplant in May of 2012. After transplant, she was declared to be in complete remission; however, she soon encountered many set-backs, including many infections.
Kerry was born to Harriet O'Mahony of the Quad Cities, Iowa on February 25, 1960 and adopted by John and Carole (Goodwin) O'Neil of Fairfield, Iowa that same year. She attended Fairfield public schools and graduated from Fairfield High School in 1978.
On August 5, 1978, Kerry married Mark Hickenbottom at the First Christian Church in Fairfield, Iowa. The couple had three children, Amanda Hickenbottom-Conner (31) and Michaela Hickenbottom-VanHooser (27) both of Branson, Missouri and Whitney Hickenbottom (25) of Fairfield, Iowa. The couple built their business, Hickenbottom, Inc. together with Kerry working in the accounting department.
Kerry was very active in community events. She spent several seasons making costumes for Fairfield Area Community Theater productions and was a member of the Wednesday morning "breakfast club bowling league", serving as its president and other officers over the years. She enjoyed working at Simplicity Flower Shop during holiday seasons and volunteering with vacation bible school and as an usher for her church, Faith Christian Outreach Church of Fairfield and Mt. Pleasant. Kerry was an active 4-H leader for over a decade and coached baton at the Fairfield High School. She was also involved in the Fairfield High School Band-Aid group for many years, chaperoning two Florida band trips.
Among her many hobbies, Kerry enjoyed to sew and quilt, entering many competitions and even selling her work at craft fairs. She loved arts and crafts and was active in local scrapbooking and sewing groups. She also loved being outside at the beach, working in her gardens, swimming, and riding her bike.
Above all, Kerry loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and strove to be His active hands for all she encountered. She had a huge heart for people and always wanted to help whenever and wherever she could.
Kerry is survived by her husband, three daughters, two sons-in-law: Sean Conner and Carson VanHooser both of Branson, Missouri, her mother and step-father: Carole and Doug Morrison of Fairfield, Iowa., six half-siblings: Rick O'Mahony of Calhoun, Georgia, Tim O'Neil of Fairfield, Iowa, Jill Deney of Davenport, Iowa, Steve Martin of Maquoketa, Iowa, Shawn Martin of Davenport, Iowa, and Kelly Gordon of Bettendorf, Iowa, one step-sister: Camila Morrison of Washington and a future adopted grandson: Desmond Conner, currently in South Korea.
She is preceded in death by her biological mother: Harriet O'Mahony, father: John O'Neil and her grandparents.
A visitation will be held at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield, Iowa on Tuesday, March 12th, with viewing from 1-4 p.m. and family present from 5:30-9 p.m.
A celebration of life will be at the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 13th, with burial following at Evergreen Cemetery in Fairfield, Iowa.
Donations in Kerry's name may be made to the Lord's Cupboard of Jefferson County, the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center, and the Women's Crisis Shelter of Ottumwa, Iowa. Cards and memorials can be sent to: 2072 Hemlock Ave. Fairfield, Iowa 52556.
The family has requested that visitors wear purple to the celebration of life ceremony in honor of Kerry's favorite color.