Ricky Bill Hartwig, 62, of Spirit Lake, Iowa, passed away at Accura Healthcare of Spirit Lake on Saturday, August 1, 2026, due to complications of ALS.
Rick was born and raised in Spirit Lake to Ronny and Connie (Sawyer) Hartwig on April 18, 1964. He attended Spirit Lake Schools and graduated from Spirit Lake High School in 1982. He continued his education at Iowa Lakes Community College from 1982-1983, then got right to work!
Rick was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and participated as a Knights of Columbus member. He was an avid sports fan. He attended many Spirit Lake Indians’ events, cheering on his children and their friends in every activity. Rick was also obsessed with the Minnesota Vikings and proudly wore purple and gold every chance he got.
Rick could have been considered a workaholic. He was employed at The Red Owl; Hardee’s; Whataburger; Shaw’s Paint, Glass, and Locksmithing; and Jimmy John’s. His longest employment was with Shaw’s, being the Lakes Area go-to locksmith for nearly 30 years. When Rick wasn’t clocked in, you could find him at any of his adult children’s houses helping them with projects, watching sports, or just plain ol’ giving them a hard time.
Rick was always on the move! Throughout his life, he was frequently seen out socializing, grilling, boating, spending time with family, coaching Little League, leading a Boy Scout Troop, playing catch with his kids, and attending any and all events throughout the community. Rick was also an avid bowler back in the day. He competed in many competitions, even making frequent trips to Reno for tournaments.
One of Rick’s all-time favorite pastimes was hunting. Waking up early and heading out to the slough with his boys was something he looked forward to every deer season. Whether or not they came home with a prize buck, he didn’t care; the thrill of the hunt and the admiration of his sons was worth more than a set of antlers.
Trevor Dee, Skyler Richard, and Shayna Grace were his pride and joy. Rick wouldn’t let a day pass without telling his kids he loved them. In fact, from the moment his daughter was born, she was deemed a princess and was treated as such up until the day he died. Rick was a family man through and through. He knew no strangers. For a very long time, he had lovingly been called “Pickle” by friends and family alike. His favorite title, though, was Grandpa Pickle – given to him by his two grandchildren, Hazel and Hudson, daughter and son of Trevor and Lauren.
Left to cherish Rick’s memory are Trevor (Lauren) Hartwig, Skyler (Skylor) Hartwig, Shayna (Shane) Nelson, Ronny Hartwig, Rodney (Autumn) Hartwig, Robert Hartwig, Phyllis Hartwig, Hazel & Hudson Hartwig, and many numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws, extended family members, friends, coworkers, and community members.
Rick was preceded in death by his mother, Connie Hartwig; grandparents, Don and Lorene Sawyer; grandparents, Edwin and Audrey Hartwig; grandfather, George Lempianen; aunt and uncle, Sherry and Ray Easterlin; uncle, Randy Hartwig; mother-in-law, Diane Steinfadt; brother-in-law, Patrick Heissel; and other family members who are also happy to receive Rick into their welcoming arms in the afterlife.
A memorial service for Pickle will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Visitation will take place prior to the service from 9:00-11:00 AM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given in memory of Rick to the ALS Association.
If you are available to attend services, the family kindly asks you to please dress in classic Hartwig style, wearing Spirit Lake Indians, Iowa Hawkeyes, or Minnesota Vikings gear.
You may join the family after the service for a lunch, generously catered by Rick’s nephew Houston Hartwig. Houston was the one who invited Rick into the Jimmy John’s business with him and was the inspiration behind his Uncle Pickle’s personalized license plate, BIGDILL.
Rick’s personality was larger than life. He was unforgettable. He lived his life saying every day was a great day, and he was thankful for every breath of his 62 years. Thank you for sending your thoughts, prayers, and love to the Hartwig Crew. Live positively, serve others, and Skol Vikings!
Turner Jenness Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
