Leona E. Ricke – Sheldon, Iowa

Funeral services for Leona E. Ricke, age 86, of Sheldon who passed away on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at Sanford Sheldon Medical Center. Her graveside service will be 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, April 8, 2023, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in Sheldon with Father Siby Punnoose ~ officiating.
Visitation with family present will be from 5 – 7 P.M. on Friday, April 7, 2023, with a Rosary by St. Patrick’s Guild at 7 P.M. all at the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon.
Online condolences may be made to the Family at www.vanderploegfunerals.com
Leona Elizabeth Ricke the daughter of Otto and Viola (Schueller) Kruse was born July 5, 1936 on her parent’s farm near Paullina, Iowa. She received her education in O’Brien County country school and later graduated from Paullina High School in 1954. She was united in marriage to Vernon Henry Ricke on July 24, 1956 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Primghar, Iowa. They made their home on a farm north of Paullina, Iowa and farmed until Vernon’s retirement in 1978 and they moved to Sheldon. Leona was employed at Aalfs Manufacturing for twenty years and later at Village Northwest in Sheldon for 12 years before her retirement at the age of 75. Vernon preceded her in death on December 17, 2015 in Sheldon. Leona remained in the family home. She passed away on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at the Sanford Medical Center reaching the age of 86 years eight months and twenty-six days.
She was a member of St. Patrick’s Church in Sheldon and had played the organ at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Primghar. She enjoyed spending time with her family, and was also concerned about everyone’s wellbeing. She was also known for her cooking, baking, crocheting and knitting many blankets and doilies. She played the accordion and was in a band “Hired Hands” with her dad and two sisters and in later years played her accordion for different events.
Leona is survived by her children, Theresa Helmers of Sibley, Iowa; Duane (Pam) Ricke of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Kevin (Sue) Ricke of Sac City, Iowa; Robbie (Heath) Warntjes of Boyden, Iowa; 11 grandchildren Julie (Allan) Heimes; Lucas (Tonya) Helmers; Justin Helmers; Melanie (Brandon) Powell; Jenn (Eric) Neisteadt; Kelly Ricke; Jill (Dustin) Jung; Kaitlin Ricke; Jacob Ricke; Alyssa Ricke and Hunter Warntjes; 6 great grandchildren Abbie, Brooklyn and Carter Helmers; Mecca, Emory and Bekhom Powell; one sister, Irene Schueller of Dubuque, Iowa also many other relatives and friends.