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Dean Ricklefs
Dean Ricklefs
Marion
Dean Ricklefs, 85, of Marion, died Sunday morning, Oct. 15, 2023, at UnityPoint-St. Luke’s Hospital following an extended illness. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, at Wayne Zion Lutheran Church, rural Monticello. Visitation will be held Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Goettsch Funeral Home in Anamosa. Pastor Wade Reddy will officiate the services. Thoughts, memories, and condolences may be left at www.goettschonline.com.
Surviving are his wife, LaDonna; three children, Stephanie (Rick) Stahl, Shelley (Mike) McLaughlin, Justin (Lori) Kithcart; seven grandchildren, Amanda (Megan), Madison (Nick), Alex, Haley, Kelsie, Drew (Jessica), and Jackson; his sister-in-law, Arlene Ricklefs-Frahm; and three nieces, Nancy Johnson, Kathy Ricklefs Boxwell, and Barb Postel-Lerch. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bonnie, in 1998; siblings Willis and Hattie Ricklefs, Jean Postel; and brother-in-law, Russ Postel.
Dean John Ricklefs was born on June 16, 1938, at Anamosa Hospital. He was the son of William F. and Lena Gross Ricklefs. Dean graduated from Martelle High School in 1956 and went on to Cedar Rapids Barber College, working as a barber for two years. Dean married Bonnie Hollar on Sept. 1, 1961, at Wayne Zion Lutheran Church. He then started his 37-year career in banking, beginning with Citizens Savings Bank in Anamosa, then moving to Monticello State Bank, and finishing his career at Citizens Savings Bank. Dean married LaDonna Brown Kithcart on Dec. 4, 1998, at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Marion.
Dean was very active in his community and church. He served on the Anamosa Fire Department, was a shareholder in Fawn Creek Country Club where he served as President, was involved with the Jones County Fair Board, Jones County Tourism Board, and Monticello Chamber of Commerce. At Wayne Zion, he was President of the Congregation for four years. He was also on the Church Council Building Committee for the new church. He and Bonnie were Luther League Sponsors, and he was President of the Centennial Committee. When he wasn’t busy being a banker or volunteer, he would help neighbors in the spring and fall with farm work.
Dean's absence is profoundly felt by all who were fortunate to know him. Remembered for his community involvement, kindness, and devotion to family, his spirit continues to inspire. Though we miss him dearly, Dean's memory remains a cherished comfort.
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