Leonard H. Ricke, 92, of Menominee, IL, passed away on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at Stonehill Health Center, in Dubuque, IA

Family and friends may call from 9:30 – 11:15 a.m., on Friday, December 12, 2025, at Nativity BVM Catholic Church, in Menominee, IL, where the Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:30 a.m., with Father Bosco Aruldoss officiating. Burial will follow in the Nativity BVM Cemetery, where military honors will be accorded by members of American Legion Post #787.

Leonard was born February 8, 1933, to Victor and Mary (Kass) Ricke. He attended grade school at St. Patrick's and high school at St. Columbkille's, both in Dubuque, IA. He then transferred to East Dubuque High School where he loved playing sports, graduating in 1951.

Leonard was drafted to the US Army in early 1953 and served in Korea as a Clerk Typist. He was then promoted to Operations Sergeant with the Headquarters of the 7th Infantry Division. After his honorable discharge, he became a lifetime member of the American Legion Post #787, East Dubuque, IL.

He married Shirley A. Wiederholt, on September 25, 1956, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, in rural Hazel Green, WI. Together they had 6 children and were blessed to celebrate 60 years of marriage in 2016. Leonard was a Self-Employed General Contractor that built many homes in the area and also remodeled several historic buildings in downtown Galena, IL.

He was a volunteer firefighter for the Menominee Dunleith Fire Department and later served as Trustee and President, retiring in 2015. He also served as Trustee for the Village of Menominee for many years, retiring in 2017. Leonard was a Director of Jo-Carroll Energy for 30 years serving as both Secretary and Vice Chairman. He was also a Director for Dairyland Power, of LaCrosse, WI, and later became a Member of the Illinois Statewide Cooperative in Springfield, IL.

One of Leonard's favorite hobbies was growing vegetables and apples. You could find him weekly at the Farmer's Market in Galena, IL. He also enjoyed hunting, ice fishing and spending time with family.

Surviving are his children, Dan (Laura) Ricke, Ron Ricke, Darryl (Janet) Ricke, all of Menominee, IL, and Dennis (Roseanne) Ricke,of Lisbon, IA; son-in-law, Mark (Dawn) Fluhr, of East Dubuque, IL; 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren, with one great-grandchild set to arrive any day now; his sister, Eunice Burroughs; and in-laws, Ardelle "Toots" Leibold, Doris Wiederholt, Everett Runde and Judy (Carl) Timmerman.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Victor and Mary Ricke; wife, Shirley; and daughters, Linda Kern and Carol Fluhr; brother-in-law, Karl Burroughs; in-laws, Mike and Alice (Pluym) Wiederholt, Eileen "Beaner" Wiederholt, Donald (Anna Mae) Wiederholt, Kenneth Wiederholt, Phyllis Runde, Donna (Bob) Tippett and Pete Leibold.

The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Mercy, Hospice of Dubuque and Stonehill Health Center. In lieu of flowers, a Leonard H. Ricke Memorial Fund has been established.

As we say goodbye, we remember the words of Louis Armstrong, a song Leonard held close to his heart: 'I think to myself… what a wonderful world.' Our world was truly more wonderful having our Dad and Grandpa in it.

The Miller Funeral Home of East Dubuque, IL is serving the family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com©