Phyllis Rickels Sept. 23, 1936 – Dec. 12, 2023

      Phyllis Rickels, 87, died Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023 at the Rehabilitation Center of Lisbon following an extended illness, with her family by her side. Funeral services were held 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Wayne Zion Lutheran Church, rural Monticello with interment in the Wayne Zion Cemetery. Friends called from 10 until 11 a.m. at the church on Friday. Pastor Wade Reddy officiated at the services.   Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at www.goettschonline.com.   Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello has taken Phyllis and her family into their care. Memorials may be made to the Alzhimers Association.

    Surviving are three children, Mike (Deb), Ranae (Scott) Rickels, Sue (Larry) Ehrisman; a daughter-in-law, Donna; nine grandchildren, Brandon, Nick, Kerri, Austin, Evan, Ethan, Kelsey, Thomas and Mallory; eight great-grandchildren, Sawyer, Hudson, Cooper, Chase, Marlee, Paxtyn, Weston and Ryker Rex; her sisters, Betty Anderson, Doris Anderson, Marilyn Smith and Carol Grage.   She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Rex; a son, Mark, in October of 2023; a sister, Marge Schultz; and a brother, Gerald.

    Phyllis Joann Achey was born Sept. 23, 1936 at Bennett, Iowa.   She was the daughter of Fred and Ethyl Motz, Achey.   Phyllis graduated from Tipton High School in 1954. Phyllis married Rex Rickels on Jan. 8, 1956, at the Methodist Church in Tipton.  The couple farmed and then owned the Olin Corners restaurant. Phyllis worked as a bookkeeper for Wears Implement, Franklin Equipment and for her son, Mike, at MWR Trucking.

    Phyllis loved to grow flowers, feed the birds, take care of her grandchildren and bake amazing pies.