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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.5

[Sikich Gardner & Co, LLP LOGO]


Board of Directors
First Investors Group, Inc.

We hereby consent to the use of  in this Registration Statement of Citizens,
Inc. on Form S-4 of our report on the consolidated balance sheet of December
31, 1995 of First Investors Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries (a development stage
enterprise), dated February 5, 1996, as appearing in the prospectus, which is a
part of this Registration Statement.

We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such
prospectus.

/s/ Sikich Gardner & Co., LLP
Sikich Gardner & Co., LLP

November 10, 1998