Dorothy "Dottie" Rickard's Obituary
Dorothy “Dottie” Rickard, 84, of Millstadt, IL, passed away on April 8, 2025, in Lebanon, IL. She was born on September 4, 1940, in Floraville, IL.
Dottie was a loving woman devoted to her faith. A longtime member of Zion Evangelical Church in Millstadt, she shared her love for God by teaching Sunday School for many years. She also ran an in-home daycare, nurturing and caring for countless children throughout the years. Dottie was also a charter member of the Millstadt Ambulance Service.
A talented baker and cook, Dottie was known for her delicious holiday cookies and her famous chicken and dumplings. She cherished playing canasta with her sisters and visiting fellow church members—two of her favorite pastimes. Above all, her greatest joy in life was spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and siblings.
She is survived by her children, Allen (Jayne) Rickard, Peggy (Tim) Gehrs, and Linda (Dan Weissert) Berberich; grandchildren, Patti (John) Bievenue, Lisa Becker, Sarah (Jimmy) Davis, Trevor (Vicky) Hubbs, Hillary Hubbs, Adam (Chandler Airaghi) Hubbs, Cory (Halle Douglass) Berberich, and Casey (Drew) Kowalski; great-grandchildren, Ty Bievenue, Anna Gerstner, Grace Hubbs, Maeve Hubbs, and Baby Kowalski on the way; siblings, Marvin Skaer, Herb Skaer, Rosie Helfrich, and Shirley Schmidt; and many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Orlando and Laurena (née Mehrmann) Skaer; brothers, Willard Skaer and Roger Skaer; sister, Diane Beggs; sisters-in-law, Janette Skaer, JoAnn Skaer, and Irene Skaer; and brothers-in-law, Ron Schmidt and Al Helfrich.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Zion Evangelical Church in Millstadt, IL. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Darrell Weber officiating. A private burial will take place at a later date.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family gratefully requests that memorial contributions be made to Zion Evangelical Church, Millstadt, IL, or Brain Support Network. As pink was Dottie’s favorite color, those attending her service are invited to wear pink in her honor.
The family also extends their deepest gratitude to the staff of Garden Place Assisted Living in Millstadt, IL, and Hospice of Southern Illinois. To support greater understanding of Lewy Body Dementia, Dottie’s brain was donated to the Mayo Clinic for research.
For more information, please visit www.leesmanfuneralhome.com. Arrangements were entrusted to Leesman Funeral Home.
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