George Donald "Don" Rickels

George Donald “Don” Rickels, passed away on January 6, 2024 in Riverside, Missouri.   Don was born July 26, 1937 , the first of his siblings to be born in Iowa, to Harm John Rickels and Phoebe Gladys Westphal Rickels.  

Don served in the Army before returning to the family farm where he was a lifelong farmer, working on the Rickels Brothers family dairy farm.  Don also drove a bus for the Maquoketa School District for decades, enjoying activities trips and treating his passengers to DQ on the last day of school.  Don was an avid bowler - achieving a 300 game, loved to play cards, auctions, ice cream, and was always ready to “go to the boat”.

While the farm was always home, Don relocated to the Kansas City area in late 2022 to be near his daughters as his memory declined.  He enjoyed love, laughter and many “adventures” with his girls. He left us unexpectedly and far too soon, but parted this world happy and well-loved. 

He was preceded in death by his father, mother, a sister,  Gladys, four brothers, John Henry and Howard, Herman and one who died at birth and one nephew, Randy Milota.  He is survived by daughters Tamara Miller, Kansas City, MO and Tiffany Hentschel (Pete), Peculiar, MO and brother Carl Edward, residing on the family farm in rural Monmouth, and one sister, Agnes Milota, Maquoketa and many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and several great-great nieces and nephews.  

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association or your favorite charity.

Visitation will be held 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at Carson Celebration of Life Center, Maquoketa, Iowa.

Celebration of Life will be held 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at Carson Celebration of Life Center, Maquoketa, Iowa with inurnment at Monmouth Cemetery, Monmouth, Iowa.