Eloise H. Ricklefs, age 86, of Anamosa, passed away at St. Luke's Hospital Hospice in Cedar Rapids on Monday, April 8, 2019. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 pm Thursday, April 11, 2019 at the Goettsch Funeral Home, Anamosa. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am Friday, April 12, 2019 at Wayne Zion Lutheran Church, rural Monticello. Rev. Wade Reddy will officiate. Burial will be held privately in Riverside Cemetery, Anamosa. Thoughts, memories, and condolences may be shared with the family by clicking on the "guestbook" tab to the left.

Eloise was the third of five daughters. She was born on September 27, 1932 to Edward and Johanna Marie (Lubben) Husmann. She was baptized and confirmed at Wayne Zion Lutheran Church.

Growing up on the Cass Center farm, she attended country school to the eighth grade and then stayed at home to help raise her twin cousins James and John, who became like brothers. On June 3, 1951 she married Lester H. Ricklefs at Wayne Zion. They met at a picnic box lunch auction, where Lester paid the highest price of the day to eat with Eloise.

Throughout her life, Eloise was very involved in church activities, both at Wayne Zion and later at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Anamosa. For many years she was known as one of the main "church luncheon" ladies. Many of her happiest days involved cooking, especially when she would plan large holiday dinners for her family. Later in her life she worked at the Anamosa Wal-Mart for many years. She enjoyed her door greeter position the most. She always had a smile for everyone.

Eloise is survived by her five children, Ron, Cedar Rapids, Doug (Nancy), Delhi, Dan (Jenny), Englewood, CO, Debra (Derek) Miller, Spring Green, WI, and Sharon (Kevin) Weideman, Anamosa, eleven grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and her siblings Loretta (Ronald) Stahlberg, Waverly, Mary Murray, Oxford Junction, John (Pat) Lubben, Coralville, and James (Maureen) Lubben, New York, NY.

Lester preceded her in death in 1980. On October 16, 1986 she married William Van Dell. He died in 1991. In addition to her husbands she was preceded in death by sisters Lorna Ruley and Alice Sauer, and a brother Robert.

Eloise raised and encouraged her children with two sayings: "In conflict, the good one quits" and "It will all be okay." Yes (for sure) there comes a time in life when we will all quit this earthly voyage and all will be okay.