Ricklefs, Emma

Emma Ricklefs, 85, of Monticello, formerly of Prairieburg, died Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010, at Jones Region Medical Center, Anamosa. Funeral services will be held 10:30 Saturday morning, Nov. 20, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Prairieburg, with interment in St. Joseph Cemetery. Father Wayne Droessler will officiate at the services. Friends may call from 3 until 8 p.m. today at Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello, where a parish Scripture service will be held at 7 p.m.

Surviving are three children, Marilyn (Tom) Orthaus, Central City, and Don (Shelia) Ricklefs and Darwin (Judy) Ricklefs, both of Monticello; nine grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Paul; a granddaughter, Jackie; a son-in-law, Mike Nosbisch; and two brothers, Leo and August.

Emma W. Holub was born Aug. 20, 1925, in Boulder Township, Linn County, Iowa, near Prairieburg.   She was the daughter of William and Anna (Marek) Holub.  She received her early education in Union School No. 5. She graduated from the Coggon High School with the class of 1944.  She then went on to Iowa State Teachers College (UNI) and received her teaching certificate.  Emma retuned to teach at Union No. 5 for several years.

 Emma Holub and Paul Ricklefs were married April 10, 1945, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Prairieburg.   The couple farmed on the Holub family farm near Prairieburg.  Paul died Aug. 27, 1998.  Emma continued to live on the farm until 2005 when she moved to the Monticello Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.   Emma loved to cook, garden and be busy outside.  She also had a great passion for reading. She was a life long member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and had also been a member of the Altar and Rosary Society.   

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