Martin E. Rickard

Martin E. Rickard, 81, of Sioux City passed away Tuesday, May 29, 2007, at Westwood Nursing and Rehab Center.

Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel, with the Rev. Roger Madden of First United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Logan Park Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the U.S. Army Reserves. Visitation will be 2 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Martin was born July 2, 1925, in Memphis, Mo., the son of Farrell and Hazel Rickard. He was a medic with the U.S. Army during World War II, where he was stationed at the 387th Hospital in Berlin, Germany. Following his discharge, he moved to Sioux City.

He married in 1948, in Sioux City, and a daughter, Mari was born. He was employed with Burlington-Northern Railroad from 1949 until his retirement in 1985. He married Irene (Mitcham) Kirk on June 22, 1962, in Sioux City. She preceded him in death on March 13, 1995, in Sioux City.

He was active with the Siouxland Senior Center and a life time member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He enjoyed playing pool, bowling and was an avid sports fan, especially following boxing and baseball.

He is survived by three daughters, Mari and her husband, Ed Jackson of Nebraska City, Neb., Nancy Graham of South Sioux City and Edna and her husband, Robert Watts of Sioux City; six grandchildren, Gretchen Marie and her husband, Rahul Kupur of New York City, William Thomas Witty of Omaha, Megan Elizabeth Witty of Lincoln, Neb., Ashley Marie Jackson of Nebraska City, Neb., Lisa Ann and her husband, Troy Haldin of Ankeny, Iowa, and Mindi Marie Lofflin of Sioux City; and three great-grandchildren, Bailey Ann Lofflin, Sidney Jolie Lofflin and Elizabeth Lauren Haldin.

He was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Terry M. Graham; a sister, Louise; and a brother, Vernon.

Pallbearers will be Bill Thompson, George Howell, Troy Haldin, Robert Watts and Ed Jackson.

Memorials are suggested to the Siouxland Senior Center.