Diana Ruth Rickard
Jul 10, 1941 – Mar 8, 2017
Preceded in death by parents, Gail and Lucille Bennett; twin sisters, Carolyn Bennett and Catheryn Geissler. Survived by husband, Dwight F. Rickard, M.D.; daughters, Cindy Rickard (Derek Leslie) and Beth Schinabeck (Tom); grandchildren, Wolfgang and Mina Schinabeck, Hanna and Colin Leslie; niece, Gale Walker (Larry); nephew, William Geissler (Susan).
MEMORIAL SERVICE Saturday, March 25th at 10am at West Hills Church, 3015 So. 82nd Ave. Memorials to: ALS of the Heartland; ALS Association; West Hills Church; or Smile Train.
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Diana was born in Holdrege, Nebraska in 1941 to Lucille and Gail Bennett. Her family, which included twin sisters Catheryn and Carolyn, relocated to Omaha where Diana graduated from Benson High School in 1959. Diana received her RN diploma from Immanuel and was working as a nurse when she met Dwight. They married in 1964. Diana and Dwight spent some years living in Boston and several communities in California. Both Beth and Cindy were born in California. The family settled in Columbus in 1976. While in Columbus, Diana participated in many groups; dinner club, sewing club and PEO. She and Dwight were active members of Federated Church. Diana was a co-founder of Federated Women’s Club and served as President. Cooking and entertaining were her passions and while in Columbus, she started a catering business, A Touch of Cuisine, with good friend Lek Patton.
In 1990, Diana and Dwight moved to Omaha. Diana continued to participate in PEO as well as bunco and sewing groups. Diana went back to school while in Omaha and received her BA in psychology. She received her real estate license and worked in relocation services with CBS Home, a position she enjoyed very much. She retired in 2009. Diana enjoyed volunteering at the Rainbow House, Children’s Hospital and the Omaha Community Playhouse. Diana’s other interests were reading, gardening and spoiling her various dogs and cats.
Diana and Dwight enjoyed traveling and were able to make several trips to California with her daughter, Beth and family. They also frequented Hilton Head and visited Beth and family in Las Vegas. Some special trips were a cruise to the Holy Land, mission trips to Ecuador with West Hills Church, a trip to Puerto Vallarta with Cindy and family, and a cruise to the Caribbean with both daughters and their families.
Diana lived her last few years at Brookstone Village due to complications with ALS. She enjoyed life enrichment activities, bingo and Bible study. She was a vibrant and beloved member of their community and we thank the staff for their love, compassion and care of Mom.
2 Comments
We have such good memories of fun times in Columbus with Optimists and-Optimist-Mrs. Our sympathy to all of the family.
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I well remember the early days when Dwight and I were medical students together, and Dwight first met Diana, They were Happy Days filled with lots of memories! My wife, Margaret, and I were very sad to hear of Diana’s passing. Our deepest condolences go to Dwight and the entire family!
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