Rickels, Ella

Ella Rickels, 97, died Tuesday morning, April 10, 2012, at the Monticello Nursing and Rehabilitation Center following a brief illness. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, April 14, at St. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church, rural Monticello, with interment in Prairie Hill Cemetery. The Rev. Paul Finger will officiate at the services. Friends may call from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday at Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello.

Surviving are many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Ruby Stadtmueller and Annie Laurie; and a brother, Robert.

Ella Marie Rickels was born Jan. 19, 1915, in the family home in Castle Grove Township, Jones County, Iowa. She was the daughter of John and Mary Catherine (Ahlrich) Rickels. She was baptized Feb. 14, 1915, at St. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church. Ella started school in Castle Grove Township School No. 4. She graduated from the Monticello Community Schools in 1932. She took the Normal Training Course and then had to wait a year until she turned 18 to teach. Ella taught school in Castle Grove No. 6 and No. 4 and later in Wayne Township No. 4. In November 1957, James Maurice asked her to come to work at the Monticello State Bank. She was employed there until 1982, when she retired at age 72. Ella was a life long member of St. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at www.goettschonline.com.

Published April 12, 2012 in The Gazette