Eugene Reicks

Eugene C. ‘Butch’ Reicks age 87 of Lawler died Saturday, January 7, 2012, at Cedar Health in Charles City. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 13, 2012 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Lawler with Rev. Nick March celebrating the Mass. Interment will be in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Pallbearers are grandsons Clinton Van Winkle, Nicholas Shill, Todd Van Winkle, Samuel Reicks, Logan Shill, Cory Reicks, Lance Halverson and Levi Halverson. Friends may greet the family 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, January 12, 2012, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Lawler. Visitation continues an hour prior to the Mass at the church on Friday. Eugene Clem Reicks was born October 26, 1924, on the Reicks family farm near St. Lucas, IA, the son of Victor and Mary (Heying) Reicks. Known as Butch throughout his life, Eugene attended St Luke’s Grade School to eighth grade. He worked with his father and mother, 10 brothers, and 3 sisters until he married his wife, Grace Huinker, on August 30, 1949 and bought one of the family farms near Lawler. Eugene made a living, and lived his life the way he learned on the family farm. Butch was a hard worker, but loved to play just as hard. He was never one to turn down a ball game, fishing trip, arm-wrestling competition or card game with his family and the many friends he made throughout his life. A continual jokester, he and Grace could often be found out and about at night while they worked to raise their own family of eight children during the day. Butch did not always do things the easy way, but made a good living for his family and sent all his children on into their own fulfilling lives. After 40 years on the farm, Butch and Grace retired to their home in Lawler for an easier life. Family and friends, his lifelong love of the Cubs, and following the Bears and Hawkeyes made for a full retirement. Eugene was always looking for a good trip, as he and Grace traveled all around the country and beyond, including his favorite trips to Alaska. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Grace Reicks; and children: Allen (Judy) Reicks of Pella, Eileen (Jerald) Nelson of Eau Claire, WI, Kathleen (Randall) VanWinkle of Farmington, IA, Duane (Penny) Reicks of Lawler, LeeAnn (Kevin) Hogan of Anchorage, Alaska, Mike (Jennie) Reicks of Lawler, Steve (Tammy) Reicks of Solon and daughter-in-law Sue Reicks of Cresco; twenty-one grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by seven brothers, Norbert (Virginia) Reicks, Alex Reicks, Francis (Lucille) Reicks, Ardwin (Edna) Reicks, all of Lawler, Don Reicks of Ft. Atkinson, Harry (Barb) Reicks of St. Lucas, Roy (Carolyn) Reicks of Missouri Valley, IA; two sisters, Marian (Norbert) Retterath, Elsie (Dan) Swehla, all of Spillville. He was preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Mary Reicks; one son, David Reicks; four brothers, Msgr. Leander Reicks, Jerome Reicks, Neal Reicks, infant Joseph Reicks; and one sister, Lucille Kruse.