Bernice M. (Becker) Rickey

Bernice (Beecy or Bernie) M. Rickey, 87, of Dubuque, died Friday, January 18, 2019 at Finley Hospital due to heart failure.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road  at 11:30 a.m. Family and friends may gather after 11:00 a.m. until time of service. Entombment will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Bernice was born on September 6, 1931 in Dubuque, daughter of Joseph C. and Mathilda (Weber) Becker.  She graduated from Dubuque Senior High School and married Marion “Rick” Rickey on August 24, 1972.  He preceded her in death on May 28, 2001.

Bernice was employed as a key punch operator at John Deere Dubuque Works and at John Deere Harvester in the Quad Cities retiring May 31, 1986.

She was a diehard Cubs fan and watched and kept score for every game that she could.  She also would fly the “W” flag outside her apartment so all the other Cub fans at Assisi Village would know when the Cubs won.  Her favorite actor was John Wayne, and she had all his movies on DVD.  Many years ago she was a member of the Dubuqueland Women’s Bowling Association and served one term on the DWBA board as a director.

She is survived by “many” nieces and nephews from the Becker clan including Linda (Tom) Ehlinger and Jerry (Karyn) Lange who assisted and watched over her for the last 9+ years.  “To all of us she was known as Aunt Beecy.”  She also had step-grandchildren in the Quad Cities area including Samantha “Sammi” (Don) Shook, Renee (Jeff) Richmond, Zack Rickey, and Ed Jordan and step great grandchildren Blaine Rickey, Bryce Barnett, Jared Richmond, and Reese Richmond.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was also preceded in death by one brother, Joseph (Dorothy) Becker and five sisters, Florence (Jerry) Lange, Esther (Don) Huntington, Helen (Minor) Maas, Rosemary (Ed) Riley, and Rita (Whitey) Dura.  She was the baby and last one left of that immediate family.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Unity Point Health Finley Hospital for their care, and the Assisi Village staff and the other apartment dwellers who live at Assisi Village for their friendship with “Bernie”.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.