A. L. “Rick” Atcheson (2022)

ATCHESON, CRACRAFT, MERGEN, OCONNOR, RAHMUS, STITZ, WEAKLEND

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 11/8/2023 at 18:04:40

Iles Funeral Home
Des Moines, Iowa

A.L. “Rick” Atcheson was born in Patterson, IA on October 27, 1941 to O.E. and Ethel Atcheson. He passed away surrounded by his family on October 27, 2022.

Rick grew up in Patterson, IA and later moved to Des Moines, IA where he graduated from Lincoln High School. Following high school, he worked at Armstrong Tires and was then drafted into the Army in 1964 during Vietnam. Rick met Donna Mergen while attending a wedding while on leave, and they sent letters back and forth throughout his deployment. They were married on September 3, 1966. Rick started Rick’s Texaco, which became Rick’s 66 in 1966, and evolved into Rick’s Towing and Transport. He began with one truck and today has a fleet of 19 trucks.

Rick’s biggest treasure in life was his family. His wife, kids, and grandkids were his pride and joy. He spent every moment he could with them, from going to sporting events, to traveling to visit for a quick lunch, to countless weekends and weeks spent in Clear Lake. Rick enjoyed taking his family out on the boat to go tubing, skiing, and knee boarding. He enjoyed taking trips with his wife and grandkids to various places around the country. Rick always was willing to lend a helping hand, whether he knew you or not.

Rick’s hobbies were numerous: morning coffee with his buddies, drag racing, NASCAR, golfing, playing cards, eating ice cream, tailgating at ISU games, snowmobiling, and hunting deer.

In September, Rick was honored for his service in the Army by traveling to Washington D.C. with the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight. He was able to explore the monuments around D.C. with his kids.

Rick is survived by his wife of 56 years, Donna Atcheson; his children: Bill (Kathy) Atcheson, Gail (Jim) O’Connor, and Jerry (Krissy) Atcheson; his grandkids: Hailey (Ashton) Cracraft, Megan Stitz, Ciera Stitz, Maggie Atcheson, Ashlyn Rahmus, Makenna Rahmus, Ethan Atcheson, Maverick Atcheson, and Ellee Atcheson; and his sister, Sheryl Weaklend.

He was preceded in death by his parents, O.E. and Ethel Atcheson; and his brothers: Orian, Kenny, Duane, Ron, Larry, and Jerry Atcheson.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, November 1 at Iles Westover Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 2 at St. Mary of Nazareth Catholic Church, followed by his interment at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery at 12:30 p.m. A luncheon will follow the interment at the Veterans Reception Center in Van Meter.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to St. Mary of Nazareth Catholic Church, Urbandale Police Dept., or Urbandale Fire Dept.

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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