Alphonse “Al” Bernard Reicks, Jr.
1931 – 2011
Alphonse Bernard Reicks, son of Alphons and Elizabeth (Schmitz) Reicks, was born October 27, 1931 at Petersburg, NE. He was baptized and confirmed in St. John’s Catholic Church in Petersburg. He attended school at St. John’s until the tenth grade. In January of 1949 he entered the Army and served until he was honorably discharged in August of 1949. He then helped his father with the farming.
On May 23, 1951 Al was united in marriage to Helen Arends at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Petersburg and to this union 6 children were born.
In the 1950’s Al custom bailed hay locally, worked in Uranium mines in Colorado in 1954, and then worked as a carpenter in Omaha. Eventually he and his family returned to Petersburg where he managed the Legion Club and worked in the bar. In 1958 he and Helen bought and operated the Petersburg Lockers and in 1975 incorporated the business with their two sons Chuck and Dennis. Al & Helen retired after 40 years at the locker. Following retirement, Al spent several weeks in Kiev, Russia working with SCORE, donating his time and knowledge in the meat industry there.
Al’s community service included serving on Pope John and St. John’s Catholic School boards, Petersburg Fire Department and EMT for 30 some years, Petersburg Community Club, Petersburg Economic Development Corporation, and Petersburg Village Board in which he was mayor for 38 years before retiring. While he was mayor, he was a strong supporter of NCIP Organization. He also served on the Boone County Hospital Board, Northeast Nebraska Economic Development Board, American Meat Processors Board and Nebraska Association of Meat Processors Board and the KN Energy Board.
Al was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Order of Foresters, and of St. John’s Parish. His passion in life was doing whatever had to be done, reading, playing Poker and camping. Al was a busy man over the years but he loved every minute of it.
Alphonse “Al” B. Reicks, 79, passed away Friday, October 7, 2011 at Cloverlodge Care Center in St. Edward, NE.
He is survived by his wife Helen of Petersburg, 3 sons: John (Nelda) Reicks of Naperville, IL; Dennis of Juniata; and Monty (Teri) Reicks of Petersburg; 10 grandchildren: Shawn Ragan, Jaimie Skinner, Melissa Reicks, Leslah Casper, Shannon Tupe, Kimberly Reicks, Dennis “Buddy” Reicks, Courtney Burbach, Brandon Reicks and Jay Reicks; 19 great-grandchildren; two brothers: Jerome (Barbara) Reicks of Sun City West, AZ; Duane (Dorothy) Reicks of Ft. Morgan, CO; one sister Eleanor (Vernon) Borer of Lincoln, along with many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sons: Charles Dean and Douglas Alan, one infant daughter Theresa Ann; one infant brother Donald.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, October 10, 2011 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Petersburg with Fr. Stan Schmit and Msgr. Ralph Steffensmeier officiating. Interment followed in the Parish Cemetery.
Levander Funeral Home of Albion is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.levanderfuneralhome.com.
