Rita Reicks

Rita Margaret, daughter of Peter and Teresa (Goecke) Oswald, was born October 2, 1921, at Mt. Carmel, Iowa. She lived for a time with her Goecke grandparents in Willey where she began grade school. Rita contracted polio at the age of seven. After her recovery, she continued her schooling in Breda where she had moved with her family. Rita worked as a housekeeper. While working for her future husband's brother Bill, she met and fell in love with Raymond F. Reicks. They were united in marriage on August 30, 1943, at St. John's Church in Arcadia. Ten children were born to this union. The family made their home in Carroll, first living with Ray's mother and then purchasing their first (and last) home on 1st Street in 1951. Rita worked for several years as a nurse's aide at the St. Anthony Nursing Home. She was a member of Holy Spirit Church, Holy Spirit Guild and Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Rita was involved with the Democratic Party as a poll worker, and served as a Cub Scout and 4-H leader for many years. She made rosaries with the "Our Ladies' Rosary Makers" and was also a Red Hat Lady. Rita and Ray enjoyed many travels together. She was an accomplished seamstress, made quilts and ceramics and enjoyed playing cards. Rita was also an avid Chicago Cubs baseball fan. Above all she treasured her grandchildren and great grandchildren. In 2005 due to failing health, Rita moved to the St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll. She died there on Saturday, January 9, 2010, at the age of 88 years, 3 months and 1 week. Rita is preceded in death by her parents; husband Ray Reicks in 1986; son Robert Reicks in 1949; granddaughter Juletta Ann Reicks; great grandson Christopher Anthony Reicks Jr.; 3 siblings: Maizie Soyer (Albert); Dorothy Vogl (Ed); and Lou Oswald; and brother-in-law Cletus Heim. She is survived by 9 children: Joleen Schultz (Earl) of Charter Oak; Gary Reicks (LuAnn) of Lake City; Tom Reicks (Kathy) of Urbandale; Judy Reicks and Dale Lengemann of Carroll; Mike Reicks (Kris) of Council Bluffs; Sr. Linda Reicks of Anamosa; Mary Kay Patten (Scott) of Omaha, NE; Rick Reicks of Council Bluffs; Mark Reicks (Trish) of Phoenix, AZ; 17 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; 8 siblings: Paul Oswald (Darlene) of Carroll; Charles Oswald (Betty) of Mapleton; Lola Crisp (Duane) of Sioux Falls, SD; Leon Oswald (Florence) of Carroll; Gladys Nieland (Norman) of Breda; Bill Oswald of Greeley, CO; Art Oswald (Virginia) of N. Platte, NE; Marge Tigges (Robert) of Carroll; sister-in-law Adeline Reicks of Carroll; numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. Visitation and Prayers MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2010, AFTER 3:00 PM CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAS ROSARY 4:00 PM VIGIL SERVICE 7:00 PM OHDE TWIT FUNERAL HOME, CARROLL, IOWA VISITATION RESUMES AT 9:00 AM TUESDAY MORNING AT HOLY SPIRIT. Mass of Christian Burial with C.D. of A. Honor Guard TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2010, 10:30 AM HOLY SPIRIT CHURCH, CARROLL, IOWA REVEREND TIMOTHY A. JOHNSON, CELEBRANT Placing of the Pall ~ Rita's Daughters JOLEEN SCHULTZ JUDY REICKS SR. LINDA REICKS MARY KAY PATTEN Lectors SR. LINDA REICKS JOHN REICKS MARTY RIESBERG Eucharistic Ministers GARY & LUANN REICKS MARGE TIGGES Mass Servers NICK REICKS BRAD REICKS CHRIS REICKS Cross Bearer KIM PLOUGH Gift Bearers TOM & KATHY REICKS JUDY REICKS & DALE LENGEMANN Music "ON EAGLE'S WINGS" "PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS" "HEART OF JESUS" "ONLY A SHADOW" "WHISPERING HOPE" "HOW GREAT THOU ART" HOLY SPIRIT CHOIR BARB MCDERMOTT, ORGANIST Casket Bearers ~ Rita's Sons GARY REICKS TOM REICKS MIKE REICKS RICK REICKS MARK REICKS BOBBY REICKS, IN HONORED MEMORY Interment MT. OLIVET CEMETERY CARROLL, IOWA The family wishes to express its gratitude for your kindness evidenced in your thoughts and prayers for Rita, and invites you to join them for lunch and fellowship at the Greteman Center following the committal service.