RUSSELL — Ethel “Mae” Ricketts, 50, died March 25 at her home in Russell. Born Nov. 20, 1961 in Sterling, Colo., she was the daughter of Charles and Tonya Jane (Tootle) Denning. In 1981 she was married to Richard Ricketts in Great Bend. A resident of Russell, she was an LPN at various hospitals. She liked crocheting, quilting and reading.
Mrs. Ricketts was a member of Living Joy Church in Hoisington and NA.
Survivors include her father, Charles Denning of Lakin; step-mother, Vonda Vargas of Bullhead City, Ariz.; four sons, JayLee Ricketts and Eligus Ricketts, both of Russell, Bobby Hurt of Nickerson, and J.D. Hurt of Dodge City; four daughters, Mindy Mercado of Salina, Sheri Balli of Russell, Brandi Hurt of Hutchinson, and Rashay Hurt, Dodge City; three sisters, Stacey Denning of Dorrance, Jennifer Baldwin of Wichita, and Darla Fritzler of Kingman, Ariz.; five brothers, Kirk Denning of Russell, Brett Denning of Chapman, Anthony Denning of Hoisington, and Billy Nailer, and Brian Fritzler, both of Bullhead City, Ariz.; seven grandchildren; and grandson Hyler James. She was preceded in death by her mother, Tonya Jane Denning; one brother, Charles Dean Fritzler; and one sister, Pamela Fritzler.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at Living Joy Church in Hoisington with Pastor Dale Curtis officiating. Memorials are suggested to the Ethel Mae Ricketts Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home
Box 146
Hoisington, KS 67544
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, March 27, 2012