Ricke, Clarence M. 1926-2009

RICKE, WILDSCHUTZ, RITZ

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 7/13/2009 at 10:59:16

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, July 13, 2009

Clarence M. Ricke, 82, of Remsen, died Saturday, July 11, 2009, at Floyd Valley Hospital in Le Mars.

Clarence M. Ricke was born July 12, 1926, at rural Granville, the son of Henry and Mary (Wildschutz) Ricke. Clarence received his education at a country school in Granville. He served in the U.S. Army from 1944 until 1947 in Germany in the 78th Infantry Division.

On Nov. 23, 1950 he married Jeanette Ritz at St. Mary Catholic Church in Remsen.

Clarence farmed in the Granville area and was then employed for many years as a bartender. He tended bar at the Triangle Lounge, The Frontier Steakhouse and The Golden Pheasant. He also sold securities and insurance for Key Life. Clarence managed The Remsen Golf Course for a brief time and also managed the Avalon Ballroom in Remsen for 20 years.

He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus in Remsen.

Survivors include his wife Jeanette of Remsen; two sons, Tom Ricke of Las Vegas, Nev., and Dan and his wife Amie Ricke of Eureka, Calif.; seven daughters, Jean and her husband Dave Hop of Council Bluffs, Nancy and her husband Steve Matgen of Remsen, Kathy and her husband Ron Jorgensen of Sioux City, Sue Ricke of Remsen, Diane and her husband Bill Jimro of Chandler, Ariz., Patti and her husband Tom Carll of Mesa, Ariz., and Julie Geyer of Sioux City; 15 grandchildren; Stacy and her husband Dellyn Feighner, Matthew and his wife Marissa Hop, Joshua and his wife Kim Hop, Tammy and her husband Brian Hoover, Brian Matgen and his friend Kayla Chapman, Michael and his wife Kristen Matgen, Corey Jorgensen and his fiancée Kristin Wittrock, Eric Jorgensen, Jesse and his wife Lori Frederick, Shaun Frederick, Melissa Jimro, Daniel Ricke, Natasha Ricke, Jason Ricke and Camron Geyer. 10 great-grandchildren; Alexandra and Reece Feighner, Scarlett and Isabel Hop, Logan, Langston and Alexis Hoover, MacKenzie Schleis, Josie Matgen and Mia Matgen; one brother, Vernon and his wife Leona Ricke of Sheldon; two sisters, Clarice and her husband Cyril Schmit, Kathleen and her husband Jim Klein, all of Remsen; seven sisters-in-law, Lorraine Wood of Fort Worth, Texas, Helen Ritz of Sioux City, Florence Schroeder, Joan Schroeder, Valeria Schroeder, Maureen Schroeder, all of Remsen, and Louise Beck of California City, Calif.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons-in-law, Clint Frederick and Mark Geyer; one sister and her husband, Helen and Ferd Plathe; two brothers and their wives, Omar and Leola Ricke and Robert and Kathleen Ricke; one sister-in-law and her husband Helen and Alfred Keffler; nine brothesr-in-law, Ray and his wife Virginia Schroeder, Elmer and his wife Hildegarde Schroeder, Dominic Schroeder, Vernon Schroeder, LeRoy Schroeder, Perry Wood, Edward Ritz, Silas Ritz, John and his wife Rita Ritz.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary Catholic Church in Remsen with the Rev. William McCarthy officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery in Remsen with graveside military rites conducted by V.F.W. 3328 and American Legion Post 220 of Remsen.

Friends may call after 2 p.m. Tuesday. There will be a parish rosary at 3 p.m., a vigil prayer service at 7:30 p.m. followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary, all at The Fisch Funeral Home and Monument in Remsen.

Casket bearers will be Brian Matgen, Michael Matgen, Jason Ricke, Corey Jorgensen, Jesse Frederick, and Daniel Ricke Jr. Honorary bearers will be KC members Carol Connor, Gerald Harpenau, Dick Moritz, Ronald Pottebaum, Robert Schroeder and Gerald Vaske.