Erna H. Rickertsen – 96

Erna H. Rickertsen age 96 of Clinton passed away Thursday, September 3, 2026 at Mercy One Hospital in Clinton. Funeral services will take place at 11:00 am on Friday, September 11, 2026 at Faith Lutheran Church in Andover. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Thursday, September 10th at the Pape Funeral Home in Clinton and from 10:00 am until the funeral time Friday at the church. Burial will be in Clinton Lawn Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jerry and Darwin Rickertsen, Kerry Kennedy, Adam Ploog, and Matt and Wyatt Rickertsen.
Erna was born in Walcott, Iowa on April 11, 1930, the daughter of Walter and Wilhelmine (Hansen) Ibs. Erna started school in Davenport before moving with her family to Germany in 1938. She was educated in German schools and was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith in Eddelak, Germany. Following W.W. II she returned to the United States in 1948. Erna married Delbert Rckertsen on December 6, 1952 at Zion Lutheran Church. Delbert passed away on September 8, 1990.
Erna had been employed at the Clinton Garment Factory, Miles Senior Center, Nielsen Clearing House, with her husband at Rickertsen Feed Service at the 6 Mile Corner, and at the Alverno from where she retired at the age of 80 after 21 years of service. She enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking baking and sewing patching jeans. She especially loved spending time with family and baking for her grandchildren.
Erna is survived by a daughter Debra Rickertsen of Clinton; a son, Brent (Kathy) Rickertsen of Cedar Rapids; a daughter-in-law, Cindy Rickertsen of Fulton; 12 grandchildren, Matt (Lori) Rickertsen, Chris Rickertsen, LeeAnn Montoya, Jordan (Britany) Rickertsen, Brook (Reed) Hall, Katie (Alex) Kurokawa, Garth Rickertsen, Cheyenne Rickertsen, Morgan (Nathan) Veith, Wyatt Rickertsen, Doug Hanke, and Dennis Hanke; 17 great grandchildren; 2 sisters, Bernice (Tom) Kennedy of Clinton and Helga Huizenga of Garden Plain, IL; a sister-in-law, Hildegard Roberts of Charlestown, SC and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Robert; a great granddaughter; a great grandson; a brother, Carl, and 2 sisters, AnnaMarie Ploog and Elfrieda Montanya. Memorials may be made to Faith Lutheran Church, Clinton Fire Department, and Iowa Public Broadcasting. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com.