Johanna Rick
May 4, 1928 - January 11, 2009

Johanna Faye Rick was born on May 4, 1928, in Adrian, Minnesota to the late Henry Ellsworth and Hermina Harmca (Miller) Hupp. She was baptized at the Baptist Church in Estherville, Iowa and confirmed at the Christian Church in Estherville. Johanna received her education in the Estherville Public Schools; graduating in the Class of 1946. She then attended Estherville Junior College for one year.

On May 17, 1948, Johanna was united in marriage to John Henry Rick in Jackson, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with seven children. In 1958, Johanna and John moved to Windom where they raised their family. Johanna worked for Peterson-Madsen Construction as their bookkeeper. On September 15, 1978, John passed away. After his death, Johanna continued to live and work in Windom until 1982 when she moved with Peterson-Madsen Construction to McAllen, Texas. Johanna spent a total of thirty plus years with Peterson-Madsen Construction. In later years she moved back to Windom and started her own accounting and income tax business.

Early on Sunday morning, January 11th, 2009, Johanna suddenly became ill at home and was taken to the Windom Area Hospital in Windom where she passed away a short time later at the wonderful age of 80 years.

Johanna was a longtime, dedicated member of the First Presbyterian Church in Windom where she was a Deacon, a member of the Naomi Circle and the Presbyterian Women (PW). Also, she was very involved in her community through the years as a member of the Jaycees, VFW Auxiliary, Democratic Party, Election Judge, 1956 Delegate to the Democratic National Convention, and organized the funding and construction of the Windom Area Swimming Pool. Johanna had many enjoyments in life which included Scotch Double bowling, Bridge/500 card clubs, watching and being a fan of the New York Yankees, Dallas Cowboys, and the Iowa Hawkeyes. Mostly, Johanna loved her family and their get togethers. Her children and grandchildren made her extremely proud.

Johanna is survived by her six children, Renie Smith of Lakeville; Charles Rick and wife, Valerie, of Virginia; Dennis Rick and wife, Julie, of Worthington; Marsha Hall and husband, Tom, of Mankato; Mary Roy and husband, Ron, of The Woodlands, TX; James Rick and wife, Shelley, of Lakeside, TX; daughter-in-law, Peggy Rick of Spirit Lake, IA; 18 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; four sisters, Charlotte Ohrtman of Spirit Lake, IA; Bessie Gray of Waverly, IA; Marian Origer and husband, John, of Estherville, IA; Alice Kabele and husband, Ed, of Spirit Lake, IA; and many relatives and friends.

Johanna was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John Henry Rick; one son, John Henry Rick, Jr.; one son-in-law, Larry Smith; one sister, Jessie White; one grandson, Jason Nogesek; and three brothers-in-law, Charles White, Sr., Bill Ohrtman, and Dick Gray.

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