Betty A. Rickard

Betty A. Rickard, age 93, of Kearney, passed away Saturday, April 13, 2024 at her home. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, April 18, 2024 at First Lutheran Church in Kearney with Pastors Rick and Michelle Carlson officiating. Burial will follow at the Kearney Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to First Lutheran Church or AsceraCare Hospice. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney is assisting the family with arrangements. Betty was born on February 25, 1931 in Colorado Springs, CO. to George and Bertha (Lietzke) Ablutz. She graduated from McCook High School in McCook, NE. in 1949. She attended Grand Island Business College after high school and went to work for Nash Finch in Grand Island, NE. She met the love of her life at Nash Finch, Duane Rickard, and they got married on May 16th, 1954 in Grand Island, NE. Duane’s job took them to Seward, NE. and then to Kearney, NE. in 1964. Betty worked at Baldwin Filters for 32 years before retiring in 1999. They purchased 10 acres in 1989 where Duane bought her her first horse, many memories were made and many more horses lived. She was able to move back to Rainbow Acres in 2011 where her daughter Susan and son-in-law Bryan later lived and were able to take care of her. She was a member of First Lutheran church for as long as she lived in Kearney. She enjoyed being outside and taking pride in her yard. She enjoyed spending time with her daughter, grandkids and great grandkids. Survivors include her daughter Susan (Bryan) Slater of Kearney; sons Larry and David Rickard; grandkids Melissa (Shawn) Orcutt, Jenny (Grant) McCollough, Angela (Mike) Schlattmann, Arlene (Nick) Mortensen and John Rickard all of Kearney; her twin sister Bertha Boyer of Clear Water, FL.; great grandkids Kylie, Dylan, MaShayla, Jaxtyn, Kaylee, Kaden, Addison, Aubrey, and Emma; great great grandkids Revalie, Mavven and Cove Klingsporn along with nieces, nephews, and other special friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Duane; brother Henry Ablutz; grandson Steven Slater and four infant grandchildren.

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Betty A. Rickard

February 25, 1931 - April 13, 2024