In loving memory of

Donald Edward Ricklefs
January 20, 1932 - March 30, 2007

DONALD RICKLEFS MUSCATINE, Iowa - Donald Edward Ricklefs, 75, of Muscatine, died Friday, March 30, 2007, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. Funeral Service will be 1 p.m. Monday, April 2, 2007, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. Dean Anderson will officiate the service. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from Noon until service time on Monday, April 2, 2007, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation or Iowa City Hospice. Don was born on January 20, 1932, in Muscatine, the son of John and Hallie Finley Ricklefs. He married Della Jo Brewer on December 31, 1961, in Muscatine. He was a US Army veteran stationed in Germany. He attended Muscatine Community College, he received his bachelors degree from Iowa State Teachers College, Cedar Falls, and received his masters degree from Northeast Missouri State University, Kirksville, Missouri. He was a math teacher at Muscatine High School for 33 years retiring in 1994. He loved fishing. Survivors include his wife, Della Jo Ricklefs of Muscatine; one son, Douglas J. Ricklefs of Muscatine; one brother, Richard F. Ricklefs and wife, Arlene, of Muscatine; one sister, Darlene Steele of Muscatine; and his mother-in-law, Betty Brewer of Muscatine. He was preceded in death by his parents and his father-in-law, Max Brewer.

Tributes

Cory and Belinda Church wrote on Apr 10, 2007:

"I knew the Ricklefs family from my years at Happy Joes. Donald will be missed."

Dorothy Roach wrote on Apr 3, 2007:

"Dear Della, Doug & Betty, As a former neighbor of yours many, many years ago (early 70's when I was Dorothy Axtell) I was extremely sad when I read the of the loss of Don. I remember when Don and my first husband went fishing together. Also the cider that was cranked out in the garage. Della, you and I used to take Doug and my daughter (Katie) for bike rides before they had to go down for naps. My prayers are with all of you at this difficult and sad time. You have many friends old and new who are thinking of you. God bless. "

Steve & Julie Keith wrote on Apr 2, 2007:

"Dear Della and Doug,We are very sorry for your loss. There is no doubt that your husband and father is in a better place. God bless you both. We will be making a donation to the Parkinsons Foundation in his name. Steve & Julie Keith "

Laura & David Kilmer wrote on Apr 2, 2007:

"Dear Della, Doug, Dick & Arlene, Darlene and all of the Ricklefs family: Dave & I are saddened at Don's passing. I'm so thankful that we were able to be together at the family reunion in June. Please know that our prayers are with you today and always. Don was such a sweetheart and he will be missed. Love to all, Dave and Laura (VanAusdall) Kilmer"

Steve & Lylie Eiselstein wrote on Apr 2, 2007:

"Dearest Della&Doug, We are so sorry for your loss of Don, but take so much comfort in knowing he is with his Savior. You and he have always been such an inspiration for us in your faith and in your walk and in your friendship. We have decided to place a memorial in his name to the Parkinson's Foundation. We love you, Steve and Lylie Eiselstein"

Susan Lorimor wrote on Apr 2, 2007:

"I extend my sympathies to Mr. Ricklefs family. Mr. Ricklefs was my teacher in the early 1980's and taught me in such a way that I was able to understand and build on that math foundation. I enjoyed his teaching style and the way he included everyone in the class. My father taught with him at MHS. I also have wonderful memeories of bringing apples over and pressing cider. I do miss the taste of that cider."

Larry Kemp wrote on Apr 2, 2007:

"DEAR Della,Doug,and Betty. I was so sadened to learn that Don had passed away. Don was a good friend and fellow teacher. Don and I fished together many years. Don was the first to catch fish and he always caught the most fish . Fishing was a real passion for Don.I also remember the time we spent making cider at his house.Don will be missed by me and by his many friends.What a great person Don was."

Dan & Shirley Petersen wrote on Apr 1, 2007:

"Dear Della and Doug, and Betty, Our sincere sympathy to all of you. We had Don as our teacher and enjoyed him then and later as we saw him at Happy Joes or other places. He will be missed by so many. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Dan and Shirley"

Ron Senger wrote on Apr 1, 2007:

"It does not seem to be that long ago when Don was helping Doug during his stroke. The trips to Iowa City with Della, the construction meetings and the many errands, to do what ever he could to help. Thank God he was still strong when he needed to be. I always enjoyed his fishing stories and hope he rests by the largest stocked fish pond in heaven. May he rest in peace."

Sam Harper wrote on Apr 1, 2007:

"Dear Della, Doug, and Betty, I happened to check the Journal tonight. I was saddened to see that Don has passed away. I have many fond memories of him while I worked at HJ's and of course at MHS. My sympathy, thoughts, and prayers to you all. Sincerely, Sam Harper"

Nancy and Steve Riedl wrote on Apr 1, 2007:

"Dear Della, Doug and Betty, We are so sorry to hear about Don. You all have been such a large part of my life ever since I can remember. Some of my fondest memories of Don were when I was a little girl. Doug and I would watch Don intently as he cranked away at the homemade chocolate chip ice cream. What fun we all had together. Don will be missed by many. All of you are in our prayers during this very hard time. --We love you, Nancy and Steve"

Sara Phelps wrote on Apr 1, 2007:

"So sorry to hear of your loss.I always thought in the back of my mind that I drove Mr.Ricklefs to retire.I was a challenging math student.I think he passed me with a D- so I wouldn't have to take his class again.You are all in my prayers"

Gary & Sandy Fortney wrote on Apr 1, 2007:

"To Della, Doug & Betty, Our sympathy to all of you in the loss of Don. We have good memories of the time our daughters worked at Happy Joes. You have had a difficult year, but Don is now with God. May God hold you in His comforting arms in this time of sorrow."

Randy Wolff & Family wrote on Apr 1, 2007:

"Della, Doug and Betty, We are so sorry to hear about Don's passing. I have so many memories of you all, and Don is a big part of those memories! Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time! Randy, Kathy, Ryan and Jenna Wolff "

Darryl Ravary & Merrill Lebron wrote on Mar 31, 2007:

"Our thoughts are prayers are with all of you."

Ron & Marilyn Sturms wrote on Mar 31, 2007:

"Della, Doug, Betty Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Don was one of my closest friends in education."

Adrienne & Rakesh Shrivastava wrote on Mar 31, 2007:

"Della, Doug, and Betty Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I will always remember Don walking in behind me while I was "teaching" the kitchen staff at HJ's to do the "YMCA" on a Friday night. I'm sure he thought I wasn't management material! I will cherish the memories of all of us together at Christmas."

Candace Clark wrote on Mar 31, 2007:

"As a former student of Mr. Ricklefs (but sadly not one of his better ones!) I was so saddened to hear of his passing. I remember my time in his class with great fondness even though I wasn't naturally talented in math as he was. But he never lost patience and always treated me with respect and kindness. My thoughts and prayers are with your family in the loss of your beloved father and husband. The impact teachers make on the lives of others, I think, is proof of eternal life in the way those students carry on their teachings. God bless you all."

Tom & Dena Schliesman wrote on Mar 31, 2007:

"Doug - our sincere condolences to you and your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers. "

Linda Doty wrote on Mar 31, 2007:

"So sorry to hear about your loss. He was my all time favorite teacher, at West Middle School, I had him for algebra,which I was not very good at, but I well always remember him as a great teacher."

Karena Marshek & John wrote on Mar 31, 2007:

"I was deeply saddened to hear of Donald's passing. Mr. Ricklefs (he will always be the joke-cracking teacher to me) was one of the few math instructors that had patience for us "math challenged" students. His humor & spontaneity to ease our frustration when we didn't understand was a Godsend. He was always there to help, even when passing between classes or before or after school. There was always a story to share and advice to give. That is how I will remember him. His spirit and memory will live on in the lives of those who looked to him, laughed with him and learned from him. "

Sheryl and Darold Snyder wrote on Mar 31, 2007:

"Betty, Della and Doug, I was so shocked to read this in the paper. Our hearts and prayers are with you all at this time. Praying God will wrap his loving arms around you at this time. Don was a great guy, I enjoyed him when he came to get his hair cut. Betty, you were one of my favorites, so have missed you very much and wish you the best. Della you take care. We now live in Houston to be close to our son and his family. Love and prayers Sheryl and Darold Snyder"

Joey Willis and Mel Hoskinson wrote on Mar 31, 2007:

"Dear Doug and Della, Our thoughts are with you, we love you."

Jim & Grace Steckman wrote on Mar 31, 2007:

"Dear Della, Doug, Betty, We were very shocked to learn of Don's passing on to be with the Lord. All of you have been such a wonderful part of our lives in times past and even though we don't see each other much anymore you are very near and dear to our hearts. Della,we fondly remember how you and Don had us over for our First Anniversary Supper Celebration. You were always very hospitable. We are sad to lose Don but rejoice in his going home to be with our wonderful Lord. When we get to heaven, we won't look for Don in Halelujah Square but will ask directions to the best fishing spot cause that's where he will be. My two nieces, Dawn (Essex) & Jennifer (Cooper) Ralls, replied with sympathy and sadness as Don was their teacher in school. Della, I recieved an email from Margaret Stych which said she was in California right now but will call you when she returns."

Bob & Charlene Whitlock wrote on Mar 30, 2007:

"Della, Doug and Betty, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We are so sorry to hear of your loss. God gives us the strength to bear our losses. Lean on Him."

Linda Ricklefs wrote on Mar 30, 2007:

"Della, Doug, Richard, Arlene, and all who knew and loved Don, Rod, I and the girls share your loss, and hope that memories of happier times will bring comfort to you. We pray that God will be with you as you deal with this lifechange that impacts you in so many small and large ways. The comfort of knowing we will all be together in heaven one day where there are no more goodbyes sometimes is hard to remember in the early, difficult days after death of our loved ones, but we hope that you remember you are in the prayers of many as cope with this loss. When I spoke with Pastor Krieger last Sunday about Don's brilliant Mathematic abilities and spoke of the wonderful man he has always been, Pastor Krieger reminded me, despite the symptoms of the disease Don had, God knows all about this, and that Don always would be this wonderful man that we all loved so much. God bless you all -- Rod, Linda, Rachele, and Danielle Ricklefs"

Jacob Wittrock & Scott Greenman wrote on Mar 30, 2007:

"Della, Doug and Betty, We send our love and prayers to you during this time. We know Don will be greatly missed. Jacob & Scott"

Tom Kramer wrote on Mar 30, 2007:

"I just happened to check the Journal tonight and saddened to hear of Don's passing. What few times we were able to visit at school were always enjoyable and informing. I am sure he will be missed by all. God Bless him!"