Allen R Rickenberg

ALLEN "RICK" RICKENBERG

1928 - 2017

Obituary

Allen "Rick" Rickenberg, 88, passed away peacefully on Monday (May 1, 2017) at his residence in Hesston. He was born on July 23, 1928, to the late Harry and Jorgine Rickenberg, at the family farm in Jupiter Township, Kittson County, Minnesota.

Rick was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at East Emmaus Lutheran Church in Kittson County, Minnesota. He graduated from Karlstad High School, Karlstad, Minnesota, in 1946. Rick attended the Gale Institute of Business in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1947. He was hired that same year as a wirechief-in-training by the Santa Fe Raiload out of Chicago. The Railroad transferred him to the Newton area in late 1948 and he worked until he retired in 1991.

Rick was an active member of First Christian Church in Newton for many years. After moving to Hesston in 2008, he attended the Hesston United Methodist Church.

Rick married Donna Laura Glazier on June 16, 1950. They were married 52 years, until her passing in February 2002.

He married Suzanne Crawshaw on Oct. 10, 2008, at the United Methodist Church in Hesston, and she survives of the home.

Rick was an avid pool player and was a member of the Newton Area Senior Center for many years, as well as Wichita Area Senior Center and Hesston Area Senior Center. He played and won many pool tournaments over the last three decades with these area Senior Center teams; the last several years playing for the Hesston Team. He was a member of the Moose Lodge in Wichita. He loved all types of dancing, but especially ballroom dancing. He was still dancing last May, at the age of 87, when he danced at his great-niece's wedding.

Family was very important to Rick and he looked forward to family gatherings throughout the years. He loved to travel, and lived life fully and joyously with many friends. He truly never met a stranger.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Archie Harvey; his wife Donna, in 2002; and his son, Robert Allen, in 2014.

Rick is survived by his daughter Roxanne and husband Bryan Grosch of Newton; his wife Suzanne of Hesston; his granddaughter Courtney Nichole Grosch of Newton; his two brothers: Roy James and his wife Helen of Kittson County, Minnesota, and Ronald of Kansas City, Missouri; his sister, Harriet (Gedney) of Walker, Minnesota; his two brothers-in-law: Larry Hedrick and his wife Nancy of Apple Valley, Ohio, and Roy Hedrick of Newton; step-children, Chris and wife Tonya Crawshaw, Becky and husband Chris Tozier; step-grandchildren, Tate and Darren Moser, Sloane Crawshaw and Audrey, Elaina and Lillian Tozier; as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. on Monday (May 8, 2017) at Hesston United Methodist Church, with Pastor Keith Schadel presiding. Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday (May 7, 2017) at Petersen Funeral Home, with the family receiving friends from 2 to 4 p.m.

Private family interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Newton.

Memorials are suggested to Hesston United Methodist Church or Serenity Hospice, in care of Petersen Funeral Home.