HOISINGTON — Kirby Dean Ricke, 61, died Oct. 11, at Almost Home in Great Bend. Born July 2, 1953, in Alva, Okla., he was the son of Theodore Dean and Darlene (Huffman) Ricke. Kirby graduated in 1971 from Hoisington High School. He was active in both vocal music and band programs, excelling at the trumpet. A very talented artist, Kirby was also active in the high school art department, winning top awards at many contests and shows. On July 14, 1973, he married Mary A Boxberger in Hoisington. His artistic talents and his love for music were meshed into his career in band instrument repair. He was a grand tinkerer, who always had many projects going in the garage. His love for cars, motorcycles, guns, and knives, made for some of his favorite tinkering projects. One of his favorite past times was fishing at the Smoky Hill River, never bringing much home but a relaxed piece of mind. He loved his daughters and granddaughters more than life itself. A resident of Hoisington, living in Fort Smith, Ark. from 1976 to 1985 before returning to Hoisington, he was a band instrument repair technician for Quality Music Center.
Mr. Ricke was a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church.
Survivors include his wife, Mary A. Ricke, of the home; two daughters, Andrea Rector and husband Alan of Lawrence, and Natalie Kohl and husband Randy of Ellis; mother, Darlene and step-father Jack Bergren of Hoisington; four sisters, Crista McMillin of Wichita, Teresa Scott and husband Bruce of Overland Park, Kathy Lynch and husband Mike of Medicine Lodge, and Terri Ricke and fiancé Brian Davis of Wichita; granddaughters, Maison and Ayla Rector; and many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his father, Ted Ricke’ and brother-in-law, Ed McMillin
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Hoisington with Pastor Laura Smith officiating. A Prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. today at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice or USD 431 Education Foundation for the High School Music, Band, and Art Departments, 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, Oct. 14, 2014