Richard Henry Ricke, 85, of Westside, Iowa returned to his heavenly home on Wednesday, March 16, 2016. He died unexpectedly at his home from a heart attack.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 19, 2016 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Arcadia. The Celebrant will be Fr. Gary Snyder. Con-Celebrant will be Fr. Richard Remmes. Music will be by Sharon Bierl and the St. John’s Choir. Lector will be Jerome Henkenius and LuAnn Vollstedt. Gift Bearers will be Abigail, Madelyn, Reese, and Rylie Ricke. Eucharistic Ministers will be Darlene Ricke, Stacy Ricke, and Julie Ricke. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Eugene Mohr, Gaylen Mohr, Martin Mohr, Richard Hanson, Bob Engler, Jeff Latterell, Rick Muhlbauer, Jake Muhlbauer, and Eugene Muhlbauer. Casket Bearers will be Richard’s sons: Doug Ricke, Kevin Ricke, Tom Ricke, Dan Ricke, Keith Ricke, and Lynn Ricke. Burial will be at St. John’s Cemetery in Arcadia with military honors conducted by the Arcadia American Legion.
Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll after 4 p.m. on Friday where there will be a Rosary prayed at 5 p.m., and a Christian Wake Service at 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to St. John’s Parish or Kuemper Catholic Schools Foundation.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll, and online condolences may be left for Richard’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Richard was born on May 31, 1930 in Wall Lake, Iowa, the son of the late George and Rose (Derner) Ricke. Richard attended country school near Arcadia before graduating from Arcadia High School in 1948.
Richard served in the Army 3rd Infantry during the Korean Conflict from 1952 -1953. Following his honorable discharge he returned to Arcadia to begin farming with his father and late brother Ralph Ricke.
On June 16, 1956, Richard was united in marriage to Marietta Josephine Demuth. They were married at the Blessed Sacrament Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. Following their marriage, Richard and Marietta made their home south of Westside.
Richard was very active in his community by serving: as a 4-H leader for 15 years; a Board Member of the Farmers Coop in Arcadia for 25 years; Sargent of Arms for the Arcadia Legion for over 60 years; Eucharistic Minister, Usher and Rosary Leader at St. John’s Catholic Church in Arcadia, and served as trustee of Hayes Township. He enjoyed woodworking, antique tractors, fishing, playing cards, socializing with his many friends and following the Iowa State Cyclones.
Richard is survived by his wife Marietta of Westside, Iowa; six sons: Douglas (Lori) of Kalamazoo, MI; Kevin (Geri) of Westside, IA; Tom (Julie) of Clive, IA; Dan of Urbandale, IA; Keith (Darlene) of Vadnais Heights, MN; and Lynn (Stacy) of Urbandale, IA. Richard was blessed with 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Esther Hausman of Halbur, Iowa and his sisters-in-law: Bernice Wagner of Dodge City, KS; Sister Emily Demuth of Fresno, CA; Patricia Demuth of St. Louis, MO; and brother-in-law Jim Demuth of Fort Collins, CO., as well as many nieces, nephews, friends and other extended relatives.
Richard was preceded in death by: his parents; his brother Ralph Ricke as well as brother-in-laws Jerry Wagner and Clarence Hausman.
