Don Reicks, 81

JULY 16, 1938 —

Oct. 2, 2019

 

CRESCO - Don W. Reicks, age 81, of Cresco, Iowa, died on Oct. 2, 2019, at Accura HealthCare of Cresco.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at Notre Dame Catholic Church on Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, at 11 a.m., with Father Jacob Rouse officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery at Little Turkey, Iowa. Visitation will be held at Notre Dame Catholic Church on Sunday, Oct. 6, from 2-5 p.m., followed by a prayer service. Visitation will continue at the church beginning at 10 a.m. prior to the service. Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Don William Reicks was born in rural St. Lucas, Iowa on July 16, 1938, the son of Victor and Mary (Heying) Reicks. He served in the Army National Guard of Iowa and the Army Reserve from Sept. 2, 1959 until Dec. 15, 1964. 

On Sept. 10, 1960, Don was united in marriage to Doris Panos in Little Turkey, and they later divorced. Don was an amazing dad who was always there for his children. They lovingly referred to him as “Superman.” He loved spending time with his grandchildren, hearing their laughter during tickle fights and birthday spankings. He enjoyed playing cards and volleyball with family and friends. 

Don knew how to enjoy the simple things in life, like eating a kolache, Oreo or oatmeal raisin cookie, while drinking Schlitz or PBR, and watching the Green Bay Packers or Minnesota Twins. During the Christmas season, he’d spoil himself and buy a bottle of Jim Beam. 

Don was known to have a joke ready to tell and liked to talk about farming. He was a hardworking man, who had a passion for doing field work in his John Deere tractor or running the sprayer. 

Don is survived by his eight children, Leon (Laura) Reicks of Postville, Iowa, Marcia Roberts of Cresco, Ines (Mark) Tibbals of Lime Springs, Iowa, Dione (fiancé Curt Rickets) Reicks-Berry of Urbandale, Iowa, Janice (Mike) Marlow of Burr Oak, Iowa, Jean (Brian) Balk of Cresco, Vickie (Ty) Herron of Shawnee, Kan. and Lyle (Stacey) Reicks of Johnston, Iowa; 19 grandchildren, Drew Reicks, Nash Reicks, Jennifer (Troy) Martin, Cindy Roberts, Danny Roberts, Johnny Roberts, Kurt (Taylor) Tibbals, Joey (Anna) Tibbals, Chris (fiancé Chelsea Sorenson) Tibbals, Alexis Berry, Nate Berry, David (Alyssa) Reicks, Cody (Trisha) Reicks, Miranda Balk, Samantha Balk, Caleb Balk, Morgan Herron, Aubrey Herron and Benedict Reicks; eight great-grandchildren; brothers, Alex Reicks, Francis (Lucille) Reicks, Ardwin Reicks, Harry (Barb) Reicks and Roy (Carolyn) Reicks; sisters Marian (Norbert) Retterath and Elsie Swehla; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Mary; brothers, Monsignor Leander Reicks, Norbert Reicks, Neal Reicks, Eugene Reicks, Jerome Reicks and Joseph Reicks; and a sister Lucille Kruse.