Arthur Delbert Rickett

Arthur Delbert Rickett, 81 of rural Ponca, Nebraska passed away on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at a Sioux City hospital, comforted by family. Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 3, 2025 at the Mohr & Becker-Hunt Funeral Home in South Sioux City, Nebraska with Pastor Dennis Ritchey officiating. Burial will follow at Silver Ridge Cemetery of Rural Ponca, Nebraska. Visitation will be on Sunday, February 2nd at the funeral home from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service beginning at 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, family requests memorials be offered to Gideons International or Quilts of Valor Foundation. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.meyerbroschapels.com

Arthur was born on March 3,1943 in Ponca, Nebraska to Delbert and Rose (Gould) Rickett. Childhood years were spent on three different farm places: two in rural Newcastle, Nebraska and the last one of rural Ponca, Nebraska. Education was Newcastle Elementary School, Sunnyside Country of Silvercreek Township, and Newcastle High School, graduating with the Class of 1961. 

Arthur enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve in Sioux City, Iowa on September 9, 1964. He received his honorable discharge on August 31, 1970 after serving in the active reserves. Arthur farmed and lived at home for 7 years following high school, before moving to a farm on the Missouri River, bottom north of Newcastle. Beginning in 1988, Arthur and Dr. Paul Fee shared a partnership in the Fee and Rickett Farms, LLC. In 1992 Arthur purchased his brother, Kenneth Rickett’s farm from Anne Rickett following Kenneth’s death. 

Arthur married Lillian Blatchford on July 20, 1974, in Newcastle, Nebraska. To this union, two sons were born, Bradley Arthur and Richard Carrol. Arthur attended Gospel Chapel Church for 70 years, where he served on the board of deacons and taught Sunday school. He enjoyed his membership in the Gideons International, Concord Camp since 2002 and was Scripture Chairman for a number of years. He was Silvercreek Township board treasurer for 8 years. As a member of the American Legion Laurence Lofgren Post 62, he served as a treasurer and fired with the Legion Firing Squad. Arthur has currently been attending the Evangelical Free Church of Ponca.

Arthur enjoyed eating produce from Lillian’s garden giving his grandkids rides, and picking apples from his four-wheeler and Ranger. Deer hunting was a favorite hobby especially from the Taj Mahal his son Richard built. Arthur also enjoyed the tractor pulls and the Spencer Fair. 

Arthur is survived by his wife Lillian of rural Ponca, Nebraska; son Bradley (Tracy) Rickett of Omaha, Nebraska, son Richard (Melissa) Rickett of Tea, South Dakota; grandchildren Cecilia Rose, Oliver Leon, Benjamin Delbert, Martin Joseph, and Stuart Bradley; and sister Crystal (James) Hofferber of Arkansas.

Arthur was preceded in death by his parents, brother Kenneth Rickett, and nephew Brian Hofferber.