Biography

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.

Visitation and Prayers

Monday January 11, 2010, After - 3:00 PM at Ohde Twit Funeral Home
Click for Map and Directions

C D of A Rosary ~ 4:00 PM Vigil Service ~ 7:00 PM

Mass of Christian Burial

Tuesday January 12, 2010, 10:30 - AM at Holy Spirit Church
Click for Map and Directions

Interment

Tuesday January 12, 2010 at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Carroll
Click for Map and Directions