Norma Louise Rickel

Norma Louise Rickel, 77, of Lexington, Nebraska, died Tuesday, January 15, 2008, at Plum Creek Care Center in Lexington. She was born February 4, 1930, at Medicine Lodge, Kansas, to Gerald and Edith (Saal) Young. Norma moved to many different towns, because of her father’s job, prior to coming to Lexington as a sophomore in high school. She graduated from Lexington High School with the class of 1948. Following graduation, she worked at Cozad State Bank. Norma was united in marriage to Richard Rickel on June 11, 1950, at the United Methodist Church in Lexington. Three children were blessed to this union; Sue, Jim, and Jeri. Following the couple’s marriage, Norma worked for Lessig’s Tots & Teens and spent 25 years with the Platte Valley Collection Agency. Dick and Norma were licensed HAM Radio operators with the call letters, WD0CJH. She was a member of Dawson County #33, Order of the Eastern Star and a member of the Gopher Smokers. Norma enjoyed bowling, crossword puzzles, Nebraska football, going to McDonald’s for her twice a day “coke fix” and people watching at Walmart. She enjoyed going for rides and being with friends at the Lexington Fitness Center. She will be so very missed. Survivors include her husband: Richard Rickel of Lexington, Nebraska One son: Jim (Natalie) Rickel of Lexington, Nebraska Two daughters: Jeri (Dave) Jaixen of Grand Island, Nebraska Sue Hedges of Waterloo, Nebraska One brother: Dr. Gerald, Jr. and wife, Lee Young of Barrington, Illinois Seven grandchildren: Matt (Leslie) Irwin of Omaha, Nebraska; Becky (Rocky) Doerr of Andover, Minnesota; Carissa (Kyle) Stritt of Kearney, Nebraska; Beth Jaixen of Phoenix, Arizona; Brandon Howell of Lincoln, Nebraska; Josh Irwin of Des Moines, Iowa; and Trisha Rickel of Lexington, Nebraska. Three great-grandchildren: Abby and Kaitlyn Doerr and Avery Stritt. Norma was preceded in death by her parents. Norma’s body was cremated. There will be no visitation. A Memorial Service will be held Monday, January 21, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Lexington, Nebraska with Reverend Todd Karges officiating. A Memorial Book Signing will be held Sunday, January 20, 2008, from 2-4 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington. Memorials are suggested to Dawson County #33, Order of the Eastern Star or the Lexington Fire Department. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements.