Cover photo for Jeanette Ricke's Obituary
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1929 Jeanette 2020

Jeanette Ricke

August 3, 1929 — June 10, 2020

Jeanette Ricke, 90, of Remsen, Iowa passed away on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at the Happy Siesta Health Care Center in Remsen, Iowa.

Private funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 15, 2020 at Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen, IA with Father William McCarthy officiating.  Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Remsen, IA.  Visitaton with some members of the family present, keeping to social distancing restrictions will be 4-6 p.m. Sunday at Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen.

Jeanette (Ritz) Ricke was born August 3, 1929, to Johann and Margaret (Loutsch) Ritz.  Jeanette’s mother died from Rheumatic Fever 19 days after Jeanette’s birth. Her father had her four older siblings to keep track of and felt he could not take care of an infant on his own. So Jeanette was raised by her mother’s sister Mary (Loutsch) and John Schroeder, who had seven children of their own.  Jeanette would have lunch daily at her dad’s house but she never lived with him. Her father was remarried to Mary Hoffman. Although Jeanette didn’t live in the Ritz home she stayed very close to her siblings, Edward, Silas, Johnny, and Lorraine.

Jeanette went to 1st Grade at the country school and then on to St. Mary’s. Even though she was not officially adopted by, “Ma and Pa” Schroeder, she sure felt like a Schroeder. Jeanette got upset with the nuns in 2nd grade when they wouldn’t allow her to write “Schroeder” as her last name. Jeanette graduated from Remsen St Mary’s High School in 1947. After high school, Jeanette started working at Farmer’s Savings Bank. She married Clarence Ricke on November 23, 1950. She worked for a while, but then became a stay-at-home mom to 9 children! Once they were in school, Jeanette went back to work. She worked at OTIS Radio, JoNee’s, Harkers/Tysons, and Remsen Apparel.  While she was still employed, she also worked at the Remsen Golf Course and Avalon Ballroom that Clarence managed.

Jeanette was a devoted member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters and Christian Mothers. She enjoyed dancing with Clarence, playing cards and bingo, and visiting with friends and family. She loved the times that she traveled to Luxembourg with her sister Lorraine to meet more of the Ritz family. Jeanette was a loving and caring mother and wife. Her children and grandchildren will always have fond memories of the stories she shared and her great sense of humor.

Jeanette is survived by her nine children: Tom Ricke, Remsen, Iowa; Jean (Dave) Hop, Council Bluffs, Iowa; Nancy (Steve) Matgen, Remsen, Iowa; Kathy (Ron) Jorgensen, Sioux City, Iowa; Sue Ricke, Remsen, Iowa; Diane (Bill) Jimro, Chandler, Arizona; Dan (Amie) Ricke, Eureka, California; Patti (Tom) Carll, Mesa, Arizona and Julie (Bill) Brooks, Sioux City, Iowa; 18 grandchildren:  Stacy (Dellyn) Feighner, Matt (Marissa) Hop, Josh (Kim) Hop; Tammy (Brian) Hoover, Brian (Kayla) Matgen, Michael (Kristen) Matgen, Corey (Kristin) Jorgensen, Eric Jorgensen, Jesse (Lori) Frederick, Shaun Frederick, Melissa (Matt) Kowalski, Daniel Ricke, Natasha (Chris) Appleton, Jason (Katie) Ricke, Camron, David, and JR Brooks and Steven (Elizabeth) Harris; 28 great grandchildren: Allie and Reece Feighner, Scarlett and Sutton Hop, Isabel and Jemma Hop, Langston, Logan and Alexis Hoover, MacKenzie (Jessie) DeGroot, Josie, Mason, Micah, and Kian Matgen, Mia, Lily, Hazel and Nolan Matgen, Calvin Jorgensen, Jacob and Clayton Frederick, Royce and Murphy Kowalski, and Baby Kowalski, arriving in November, Ben and Ethan Ricke, Baleigh and Elliot Harris; 2 great great grandchildren: Hayden DeGroot, and Baby DeGroot, arriving in September.

She is also survived by her sister-in-laws Maureen Schroeder and Leona Ricke, and brother-in-law Cyril Schmit, and many nieces and nephews.

Jeanette was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Ricke, her parents Johanna and Margaret Ritz and Mary Ritz, and Mary and John Schroeder.  Her son-in-laws Clint Frederick and Mark Geyer. Her siblings and their spouses:  Lorraine and Perry Wood, Edward and Helen Ritz; John and Rita Ritz and Silas Ritz, Clarence and Florence Schroeder, Ray and Virginia Schroeder, Florence Schroeder, Helen and Alfred Keffeler, Elmer and Hildegarde Schroeder, Joan Schroeder, Dominic and Valeria Schroeder, Vernon and Louise (Beck) Schroeder, and LeRoy Schroeder.  Her in-laws and their spouses:  Omar and Leola Ricke, Robert and Kathleen Ricke, Helen and Ferd Plathe, Jim and Kathleen Klein, Vernon Ricke, and Clarice Schmit.

Casket bearers will be, Brian & Michael Matgen, Brian Hoover, Corey & Eric Jorgensen, Jason Ricke.

The family would like to thank her dear friends Joann, Leanne, and Gerry, and many other residents of the Happy Siesta for the friendship they provided to their mother.  Also, a big thanks to the staff for the great care, compassion and friendship given to Jeanette during the last 3 years. And thanks to Sammy for keeping mom involved in activities, we appreciate your laughter and enthusiasm for Bingo!
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jeanette Ricke, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Sunday, June 14, 2020

4:00 - 4:00 pm (Central time)

Fisch Funeral Home & Monuments

310 Fulton St, Remsen, IA 51050

Visitaton with some members of the family present, keeping to social distancing restrictions will be 4-6 p.m. Sunday at Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen.

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