Dean John Ricker, son of Earl Kenneth and Pearl Margaret (Broadbent) Ricker, was born February 6, 1927, in Park Rapids, Minnesota. He spent his childhood years growing up on a farm and attended school at Park Rapids School. He enlisted in the Army/Airforce. After his military service he moved to Spirit Lake, Iowa, and was employed by Iowa Electric Light & Power Co for the next 35 years, which he was very proud of.
Dean dated and fell in love with Reva Eileen Kinkade of Milford and was married at the Little Brown Church on October 14,1950.
Following their marriage, they moved to Peterson in1953 and raised their four daughters, Marcia, Debra, Donna & Karen.
He was a member of the Congregational Church in which he was a Board member for several years, a member of the American Legion, served on the Peterson City Council and thereafter became Mayor of Peterson. After the death of his wife Reva in 1972 and his daughter Donna in 1973, Dean married Cleta Bedwell in 1974 and to this marriage a son John was born in 1975.
In 1978 he returned to Spirit Lake and continued working for IEL&P until his retirement.
After his retirement he was not ready to completely retire and began to work for Doc’s Flag Cars for a few years and upon Doc’s retirement created his own business D. R. Flag Cars. He always kept busy working around the yard and his garage seemed to be his “home away from home”. He especially enjoyed his time with family and friends. In 1998 his wife Cleta passed away.
Left to cherish his memory are his children, Marcia (Glenn) Taylor of Spencer; Debra (Robert) Starkey of Spirit Lake; Karen (Jon) McAllister of Long Beach, CA; John (Erica) Ricker of Tinley Park, IL; and a sister-in-law, Patty (Kinkade) Billings of Sun City, CA; 7grandchildren: Benjamin (Amber) Anderson, Brandy Geisinger, Brittney Potter, Amanda Gilson (Massimiliano) Totaro, Dean John Ricker-Manning, Elliot Ricker, Heather Potter-Jack; 8 great-grandchildren: Seth Anderson; Adam V. Anderson, Kayleigh Anderson, Bryce Marie Anderson; Lauren(Josh) Bauer, Anna Dirksen; Anthony (Cassandra) Coker; Lucia Totaro; 1 great-great-granddaughter expected in February.
Deanwas preceded in death by his wife, Reva; wife, Cleta; daughter, Donna Jean Ricker; grandson, Adam J. Anderson; great-granddaughter, Bailey Geisinger; brother, Leon K. Ricker and sister, Doris E. Kirsch.