Obituary

BERNARD C. RICKLEFS

Rolfe - Bernard C. Ricklefs, age 85, of Rolfe, passed away on October 29, 2003, at the Rolfe Care Center.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, at the Shared Ministry of Rolfe, with the Rev. Tamara En Tin officiating. Burial was in Clinton-Garfield Cemetery in Rolfe.

He is survived by two sons, Timothy (Jann) Ricklefs and Bennet (Kathy) Ricklefs, both of rural Gilmore City, a daughter Susan (Bill) Trees of Sioux Falls, S.D.; 12 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren; a twin sister Berniece Sedlacek of Omaha, Neb., sister Islea (Gerald) Graeber of Spencer; and brothers, Virgil (Dorothy) Ricklefs of Rolfe, and Merlin (Karen) Ricklefs of Rochester, Minn.

Bernard was born October 14, 1918, at his grandparents' farm south of Rolfe. He was the son of John and Myrtle (Bendixen) Ricklefs. At an early age his family moved to a farm in Lake Township, where he began his education in a rural school. In 1929, he moved with his parents to a farm south of Rolfe, where he attended rural school and Rolfe High School. He farmed with his father, and in 1941, he purchased 80 acres and continued to farm with his father. On November 23, 1943, he was united in marriage with Edmondeane Hodgell of Gilmore City and they moved to his farm south of Rolfe. They were blessed with three children. In 1971, they moved to Rolfe. Bernard continued to help out with the farming until his health failed.

Bernard was a prosperous farmer and handy at many related crafts including building, mechanics and electricity. He was a life member of the Rolfe Presbyterian Church, now the Shared Ministry. He enjoyed his family, family get-togethers, dancing and playing cards.