Ruth Ann Ricker, 88, of Keokuk, Iowa, passed away on Monday, June 8, 2026, at Blessing Hospice in Quincy, Illinois.

Ruth Ann was born on June 14, 1937, in Keokuk, Iowa, the daughter of Robert A. and Annabeth L. (Jennings) Ricker. In her youth, she assisted her parents at the family business, Ricker's Pastry Shop. After graduating from Keokuk High School, she worked for many years as a receptionist at the Baxter Dental Office in Keokuk. She was later employed by the Daily Gate City and the Vogue Women's Clothiers. After retiring, for many years she served as a devoted classroom volunteer in the elementary schools of the Keokuk Community School District.

Ruth Ann was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church in Keokuk and was one of the oldest members of the congregation. She was a devoted Christian, was generous with her time and talents, and participated in many service activities, including a missionary trip to the Dominican Republic.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Bobby Ricker, and his wife June, and her nephew, Bob Ricker.

She is survived by her nephew, Tim Ricker (Mary), her niece, Bev Leachman (Rob), and Bob Ricker's wife, Eileen Ricker. She is also survived by many great-nieces and -nephews and great, great-nieces and -nephews. As a lifelong resident of Keokuk, she leaves behind countless valued friends.

Ruth Ann cared deeply for her family and took care of her parents in their later years. She took great interest in the lives of her niece and nephews, then her great-nieces and -nephews, and then their children. She was known as Aunt Ruth, or Ruth Ann, or Ruthie. She never failed to send a card for each birthday, and took great joy from receiving photos and correspondence from members of her family.

She loved reading and always enjoyed discussing the books she had recently read. She particularly loved British TV comedies and dramas and was always ready with a knowledgeable critique of programs she had watched. In her younger years, she loved traveling, taking trips across the country and to other parts of the world. She loved her church, valued her faith, was devoted to Keokuk, and loved her family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, June 19, 2026, at DeJong-Printy Funeral Home in Keokuk, with burial to follow at Oakland Cemetery in Keokuk. Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026, from 2 to 7 pm, with family meeting friends from 5 to 7 pm at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the First Baptist Church in Keokuk, the Keokuk Union Depot Foundation, or the Keokuk Homeless Alliance.

DeJong-Printy Funeral Home of Keokuk is in charge of arrangements.