Helen M. Ricker

Helen Marie Ricker, 96, of Bucyrus, passed peacefully on Thursday, April 6, 2023 at Carlisle Place, with her granddaughter and family by her side.

She was born June 21, 1926 in Bucyrus to the late Robert C. and Mildred I. (Bever) Ulmer and was a 1944 graduate of Bucyrus High School. On December 21, 1946 she married Lewis E. Ricker who preceded her in death on February 12, 1982.

Helen cared for her family as a homemaker and also spent many years working as a sales clerk at Baumoel’s and Steele’s Studio. She was a longtime volunteer with the Crawford County Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Bucyrus Hospital Gift Shop. Helen was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and faithfully listened to services on the radio. She was also very appreciative of the friendships formed through visits and Communion offered by Good Hope Lutheran Church and enjoyed listening to their services as well.

Living life in a very traditional manner, Helen instilled her beliefs and was always concerned for others. She was fiercely independent and blessed to have been sharp-minded throughout her 96 years. Helen enjoyed visits with family and appreciated the memories made. She walked for exercise and, over the years, covered many streets in Bucyrus. In more recent years, she loved feeding and watching the birds, solving crossword puzzles and the daily Jumble, as well as coloring to pass time. Helen was always up for ice cream with cookies and enjoyed a few pretzels with a third of a beer to wash them down. Her favorite TV show was Judge Judy and, for relaxation, she preferred sitting in silence.

Helen will be missed by her son, Ronald (Joyce) Ricker; grandchildren, Melissa (Mark) Harris and Melinda (Andrew) Markley; great grandchildren, Jeremy (Destiny McCowan) Mofford, Olivia (Alan Roth) Markley, and Calvin (Tangy Keplar) Markley; and two great-great grandchildren, James and Aria Mofford. She was preceded in death by brothers, James and Charles Ulmer.

Her family will receive friends from 12:30 to 1:30 pm Monday, April 10 at Wise Funeral Service where her funeral will begin that day at 1:30 pm with Pastor Tanyce Addison officiating. She will be laid to rest in Oakwood Cemetery.

Donations can be made payable to a charity of the donor’s choice and will be accepted through the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy are encouraged to be shared on her Tribute Wall.