RitaMae Ricketts

Funeral services to celebrate the life of RitaMae Ricketts, 75, of Davenport will be held at 11:30 am on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at Mighty Fortress Community Church, Moline. Visitation will be from 10:30 am until the time of service at the church. Burial will take place at 2 pm on Monday in the National Cemetery, Rock Island.

Mrs. Ricketts passed away on Monday, August 11, 2025, at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf. Halligan McCabe DeVries Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

RitaMae Geske was born June 20, 1950, in Davenport, to Lyle and Eleanor (May) Geske.

She was united in marriage to Danny Layne Ricketts on November 1, 1969, at St. Mathias Church in Muscatine. He preceded her in death on December 10, 2007.

Prior to her retirement in 2018 from APAC, she had been a hairstylist and a homemaker.

RitaMae was a loving and creative soul. She was a gifted painter and crafter whose hands were rarely still, always bringing beauty into the world. In her younger years, she delighted in making handmade Christmas ornaments, creating cherished keepsakes that still carry her warmth and love.

She was a fierce competitor at the Scrabble board and around the card table, known for her quick wit and playful spirit. A lifelong animal lover, she had a special fondness for cats, especially the orange ones who seemed to know they’d found a kindred spirit.

An exceptional cook, she believed in making meals from scratch, filling her home with comforting aromas and nourishing her family with love in every bite. She also sewed many of her children’s clothes when they were young, each stitch a testament to her dedication and care.

Above all, RitaMae loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, taking immense joy in their accomplishments, milestones, and simply being together. She leaves behind a legacy of handmade treasures, heartfelt memories, and a family who will miss her dearly.

Memorials may be made to the family.

Those left to honor her memory include her children, Jennifer Becker, San Diego, Jason (Christina) Ricketts SMSgt (Ret.), Ft. Wayne, IN, Heather Hillyer, San Diego, Amanda (Mitchell) Bina, Rock Island, and Zachary (Rachel) Ricketts, Davenport; grandchildren Shelby, Skylar, Paige, Chris, Chloe, Jacob, David, Miranda, Rayne, Rebecca, Jeremy, Zoe, Layna, Raya, Magnus, and Iva; great grandchildren Ophelia, Iver, Henry, Wesley, Isaiah, and Elianna; and siblings Anne (George) Timlin, Indiana, Charles Geske and Lyle “Butch” Geske, California.

Additionally, she was preceded in death by her parents, brother Jim Geske, and sister Julie Hass.

Online remembrances may be expressed at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.