Nancy A. Ricketts, age 87, of Oquawka, Illinois; passed away at 5:10 pm on February 9, 2024 at the Mercer Manor in Aledo, Illinois. Nancy was born on August 19, 1936 in Burlington, Iowa and is the daughter of Frank J. and Florence Rau Koehler. Nancy was raised in Burlington where she attended Catholic schools and graduated from the Burlington Catholic High School in the class of 1954. She then attended nurses training with the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing where she received her certification as a Registered Nurse. Nancy began her work at Mercy Hospital as a nurse for a number of years. She then became a full time mother and farm wife and bookkeeper with her husband Dean while raising her family. Later, she was an RN for the Henderson County Rural Health Center W.I.C. for a number of years. She lastly was employed as a Registered Nurse for many years and to her retirement at the Oak Lane Nursing and Rehab in Stronghurst, Illinois. She is a member of Immaculate Conception Church of Monmouth, and enjoyed gardening at her home. Her family was always her first interest and always went to ball games. Surviving Nancy are two daughters, Connie Mesecher and Rod of Stronghurst, Illinois and Patty Callahan of Aledo, Illinois. Her son Gary Ricketts and Dorothy are from Monmouth, Illinois. There are seven grandchildren and one great grandchild surviving her. Nancy’s sister is surviving, Sally Trickler of Burlington, Iowa and her beloved dog “Buck” and a number of other relatives. She is preceded in her death by her parents, husband Dean, and one sister, Joan Reinhardt.
A funeral service for Nancy is planned by her family at 10:30 am on Thursday February 15, 2024 at Turnbull Funeral Home in Oquawka, Illinois. At her request, no visitation is being planned by her family. Interment is planned following the funeral service at Oquawka Cemetery, next to her husband, Dean. Memorial funds in her memory are for either PAW Animal Shelter in Ft.Madison, Iowa or Immaculate Conception Church of Monmouth, Illinois. To leave your remembrance or for more information please visit turnbullfuneralhomes.com
