Sidney Six

Sidney J. Six, 59, went to be with his Savior on Monday June 20th, 2016 at the Taylor House with his wife by his side. Sid had been battling small cell carcinoma since his diagnosis in April.
Sid was born in Des Moines, Iowa on September 23, 1956 to Vern and Winifred Six. He remained in the Des Moines Area his entire life. After attending Lincoln High School and graduating in 1972, he was enrolled at Drake University at the young age of just 16. He studied at Drake for one year and then decided to join his father in the family business, Champion Crane Service. At just 19 years old he took over ownership of Champion Crane.
In 1976, while on a business trip to Canada he met and quickly fell in love with the love of his life, Helen Huitema, marrying her within the year. This union was blessed with four children, Benjamin Ryan (1977), Celeste Nicole (1979), Robert David (1981) who passed at birth, and Candice Lynne (1983).
Sid passionately invested his time and energy in his business, Champion Crane Service. He loved operating cranes, being challenged with difficult crane lifts, and teaching his son, Ben, the trade. Throughout his career he worked on many of the landmarks in the Des Moines area helping shape the city as it is today. He was an expert in the field of heavy lifting and his attention to detail landed him many safety awards throughout his career. Sid loved the cranes, but also cared deeply for his employees and people he worked with, developing many long time friendships with them.
Sid had many hobbies, usually involving a fair amount of engine horsepower. He loved flying his plane, boating, riding his motorcycle, and snowmobiling. However, nothing was was more exciting and satisfying to him than spending time with his family.
Fun loving and easy going is how most people will remember Sid; he was truly the jovial gentle giant who people quickly trusted and liked. Of course the kid in him really came out when he was around his grandchildren who just adored him! He loved keeping them up past bedtime, feeding them chocolate before dinner, and spoiling them well beyond their parent’s rules.
Sid enjoyed fellowship at church, and most recently was a member at Ivy Centennial United Methodist Church. He loved bringing the cranes to help put Christmas lights on the church and he was a master a making chocolate chip pancakes for the congregation.
Sid is survived by his wife, Helen Six; his children, Ben (Mindy) Six, Celeste (Travis) Paulson, and Candice (Curt) Vos; 13 precious grandchildren; his mother, Winifred Six; his half-brother, Dwayne Smith; and his half-sister, Norma Six-Heglin. Sid is preceded in death by his father, Vern Six; and half-brother, Tim Six.
Visitation will be at 9:30 a.m. with the funeral directly following at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 25th, 2016 at Grace Church, 4200 E 25th Street, Des Moines, IA. Lunch will be provided and burial will take place at 2:15 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Des Moines.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Sully Christian School or Grace Church where his grandchildren attend.

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