Obituary of Warren G. Rickson

Warren George Rickson was born July 6th, 1924 to George and Ellen (Blomquist) Rickson in his parent’s farm house near the Rose Hill School located north of Old Randolph, Kansas. As a youth he lived at various locations in northern Riley County. During that time he grew up with his sisters Imogene, Eilene, Ila Mae and Yvonne. While attending Randolph High School from which he graduated in 1942, he was nicknamed Friday. Many in the Randolph area knew him by this name from then on. He worked as a farm hand for both his father and Uncles Harry and Wilbert Rickson prior to owning his own land. He raised cattle, hogs, sheep, chickens, as well as various crops. His homestead was 5 miles north of Randolph along Highway 77 where at one point he farmed and ranched over 700 acres. In 1966 Elsie Olson introduced him to a potential square dance partner, Betty Louise (Lake) Keefover. This wonderful woman impressed him so much that they married December 16, 1967. On June 24, 1969, their son Jeffrey George was born, adding to their family which included Betty’s three adult children. He was supportive of all of Jeffrey’s activities that included church, school, 4-H and athletics. Through the years Warren worked part time for various businesses, primarily the Manhattan Monument Company. He was a supporter of the communities that he lived in, attending Christian events, youth activities, concerts, and visiting the elderly. He was a loyal fan of the KC Royals and Kansas State University athletic teams. He was an active member of a Methodist Church wherever he resided and a longtime member of Lions Club International and Sertoma International. After retiring from fulltime farming in 1988 Warren and Betty moved to Manhattan where they enjoyed neighborhood living and being closer to all their favorite activities. In 2004 they moved to Topeka to be near most of their children and grandchildren. They resided in the independent living apartment complexes of Lexington and Drury. His smile, wit and caring nature endeared him to residents and staff alike. Warren passed away on June 2, 2014 at Stormont Vail Hospital, Topeka, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his wife Betty on August 17, 2011, his sisters Imogene Henton in 2003 and Ila Mae Lane in 2013 and grandson David Keefover in 2009. He is survived by his son, Jeffrey Rickson of Topeka, his stepdaughters Diana Hentzler Lauer and husband John of Topeka and Cheryl Jackson and husband Bob of Harveyville, KS, and stepson Robert Keefover and wife Jane of Fate, TX, plus seven grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. His sisters Eilene Cheney of Oklahoma City, OK and Yvonne Osbourn of Manhattan, KS and many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday June 9, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church, 612 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS with Pastors Amy Bowers and Kevin Larson officiating. A visitation will follow the service. A graveside service will be at 3:00 PM at the Randolph Fancy Creek Cemetery, north of Randolph. Respect calls may be made on Sunday from 12:00 PM until 5:00 PM at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home in Riley, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in Warren Rickson’s name to the American Parkinson Disease Association, and the Randolph United Methodist Church. Contributions may be left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 176, Riley, Kansas 66531.