"Mary Jane made a point of attending the Thursday Bible Study every week at Manor Care. She is an inspiration and a blessing to the rest of us. Not only did she know her Bible, she was willing to share her knowledge. Mary Jane helped us in learning how to rely on Jesus to live a full life. Today (March 8) we talked about our memories of Mary Jane. Several of the residents told stories of how she helped to bring them to the realization that God loves them. "
In loving memory of
Mary Jane Ricketts
March 24, 1936 - March 2, 2018
MARY RICKETTS
DAVENPORT, Iowa - Mary Jane Ricketts, 81, formerly of Muscatine, passed away on Friday, March 2, 2018, at Genesis Hospital - East Campus.
Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at the St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church. Pastor Travis Fisher will officiate. Burial will take place in Fairport Cemetery, Fairport, Iowa. Visitation will be from 9 until 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at the church. Memorials may be made to the St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home, Muscatine, is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences: www.wittichfuneralhome.com
Mary Jane was born on March 24, 1936, in Davenport, the daughter of Frank and Margaret Whitmer Eiselstein. She married Theodore 'Ted' Ricketts on October 17, 1954, at the Ziegler Memorial Church in Muscatine. He preceded her in death on December 25, 2011.
She had been a resident of Muscatine all of her life, and had spent the last nine years at Mannor Care in Davenport where she participated in Bible Study, crafts, and other activities.
She was a member of St Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church and was a homemaker.
Those left to honor her memory include her children, Melanie Coleman and husband, Martin, of Davenport, and Todd Ricketts and with Patricia, of Franklin, Tennessee; four grandchildren; and two nieces, Sonia Laury of Davenport and Marlene Sholley of Wisconsin.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and one son, Anthony 'Tony' Ricketts.
Tributes
"As members of St. Mark Lutheran Mary Jane and I enjoyed talking with each other at church in years past. It has been awhile since we talked. I heard that she really enjoyed the nursing home and that made me feel good. She always seemed so happy and she had a beautiful smile. She and Ted were a very nice couple. My daughter Lisa also considered Mary Jane a sweet friend. Our sympathy is extended to the family, loved ones and friends."
"I had the privilege of visiting with Mary Jane each month for the past couple years as parish visitor from St. Marks. I admired Mary Jane's acceptance of being in a nursing home and her commitment to our Lord and Saviour. I loved hearing her stories of her wonderful life in the country and her dedication to her faith. It was a blessing for me to have known her."