Kathleen Ricker

Kathy Ricker, 80, died on July 2nd, 2026 after collapsing because of the aftermath of a heart attack that occurred in June. She was transported to the Emergency Room where Kathy’s wish to decline invasive procedures was honored. Kathy passed peacefully as comfort care was provided.

Kathy spent most of her life as an educator and as a shaper of young lives. When her students were asked which of their teachers was their favorite, invariably their answer was Mrs. Ricker.

Kathy started her teaching career at Willard Elementary in east Des Moines in the ‘70’s. Kathy later served as the Principal and a part-time teacher when the Des Moines Jewish Academy was founded around 1977. Even though Kathy was Catholic, she was deemed to be the best choice to lead the school. Some years later the school moved to the former Science Center of Iowa site in Greenwood Park. Eventually the school morphed into the secular Bergman Academy. Even in retirement Kathy remained involved with education by serving as a counselor at Dowling Catholic High School.

Kathy was one of eight children born to James D. and Elizabeth A. Brien. Always up for fun and adventure, she and her niece, Kristin Buroker Marsh, spent part of the summer of 1987 in Israel and swam in the Dead Sea. Almost annually Kathy, other teachers, and parent chaperones would take the graduating class at the Academy to Washington, D.C. and other cities to see the sites and how people live in big cities.

The biggest blow Kathy endured was the sudden death of her husband, Ron Ricker, after 54 years of marriage. Despite her loss, she maintained her sense of adventure, sense of humor, and her love of life and family. Although Kathy had no children of her own, her sibling’s families and her students mattered just as much to Kathy as if they were her own. Kathy’s nieces and nephews lovingly referred to her as Aunt Kathy Waggie. They all looked forward to going to Aunt Kathy’s for Christmas and the annual Easter Egg hunt.

Kathy’s survivors include five of her siblings: Mary Zill of Rapid City, S.D., Patty Buroker(Dr.Tom), Tim Brien, and Tom Brien, all of Des Moines, and Mike Brien(Gail) of Ames. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ron, her sister Carlie and her brother Jimmy.

Services will take place at the Basilica of St. John’s, 1915 University Ave., Des Moines, Iowa on Tuesday, July 14th, 2026. Visitation begins at 11 A.M. with a Mass to follow at Noon. Limited parking is available at the rear of the Basilica.