Robert John "Bob" Stickney

Robert John “Bob” Stickney, Sr., age 62, of Gakona, Alaska, went home to Jesus on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, while being cared for by his family and LeRoyer Hospice, after a long, courageous battle with cancer.

Bob was born on March 7, 1963, in Antigo, a son of the late Earl and Gloria (Diestler) Stickney.

In 1982, Bob married Shelley Folkerts. The couple later divorced.

On September 26, 1987, Bob was united in marriage to Naomi Topp at Peace Lutheran Church, Antigo, WI.

The couple resided in Antigo while raising their children.

In 2015, Bob and Naomi fulfilled their dream of moving to Alaska, clearing land and building their home in Copper Center, Alaska.

Bob had been a longtime member of Peace Lutheran Church in Antigo. He then became a member of Mount Drum Lutheran Church in Copper Center, Alaska.

While residing in Antigo, he worked for Draeger Oil. Upon moving to Alaska, Bob became a career and technical education instructor at the Copper River School District in Glennallen. He taught woodworking, welding, auto mechanics, and small engine classes. His students brought him great joy. In 2019, Bob completed ministry classes and became a licensed lay deacon with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. He served Mount Drum Lutheran Church in Copper Center, Alaska.

Whether in Wisconsin or Alaska, Bob enjoyed his passions of woodworking, auto mechanics, hunting, fishing, camping, and the outdoors.

Survivors, in addition to his wife Naomi, include four children: Tara Stickney of Belle Plaine, WI, Bobby, Jr. (Jenni) of Cecil, WI, Christopher (Rachel) Stickney of Lexington, TN, Nicole Stickney of St. Paul, MN; grandchildren: Destiny Hogan and Alexandrea Hogan of Belle Plaine, WI, Makayla Stickney, Austin Stickney, and Blake Stickney of Cecil, WI, Hudson Stickney and Wyatt Stickney of Lexington, TN; sisters: Marilyn Prepster of Sheboygan, WI, Gail (Richard) Schoepke of Wittenberg, WI, Karen (Duncan) Henke of Antigo, WI; brothers: David “Whitey” Stickney and Kenneth (Faye) Stickney of Antigo, WI; sisters-in-law Dorothy (Tim) Sharp and Kathy Stickney of Antigo, WI; step-sister Shelly (Mark) Gehrke of Wausau, WI, and a step-brother Nicholas (Mary) Schmelter of Vernal, UT. Bob is also survived by members of Naomi’s family, his sisters-in-law Karen (John) Balyeat of Ironwood, MI, and Elaine (John) McCullough of Antigo, WI. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by brothers: Joseph, Jerry, and Marlin; sisters: Ann Jakl and Gloria Jean Stickney; sisters-in-law: Jean Debroux Stickney and Karen Schultz Stickney; brothers-in-law: Curt Inderdahl, Dennis Jakl, and Jack Prepster; step-fathers: Lindy Schmelter and Coleman Day; step-sisters: Linda Ruf and Theresa Steele; a step-brother Ted Schmelter, and step-brothers-in-law: Norman Steele and James “Moxi” Ruf; mother-in-law and father-in-law Viola Topp Raasch and Vilas Topp, and step father-in-law Edward Raasch.

A funeral service for Bob will be held on Friday, January 16, 2026 at 10:30 AM at Peace Lutheran Church. Visitation will take place at Strasser-Roller Funeral Home on Thursday, January 15, 2026 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and again on Friday before the service at the church from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM. Burial will follow the service at Elmwood Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to his wife, Naomi, to be distributed according to Bob’s wishes.

Strasser-Roller Funeral Home is assisting the family.

A special thank you to the LeRoyer Hospice nurses for their wonderful and compassionate care during Bob’s battle with cancer.