Bonnie Lu Rickert

Bonnie Lu Rickert was born on May 10, 1951, in Charles City, Iowa, to her parents Arlin and Gladys (Leisinger) Hesse. She grew up in Cedar Falls and graduated in the class of 1969. After high school, Bonnie worked at Younkers, the Conestoga Council of Girls Scouts, and then began her approximately 30-year career as a day care provider, in her home. She retired from her business in 2013; and then continued working as a personal aisles online shopper for Hy-Vee. On December 6, 1980, Bonnie was united in marriage to the love of her life, William "Jeff" Rickert, at the Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls. The couple was overjoyed to welcome daughter Courtney, and son Stewart, into their family.

In Bonnie's free time, she enjoyed gardening, cooking, knitting and cross stitch, and playing cards. She was an avid animal lover, especially when it came to dogs. She loved to travel; it was while traveling to many different states in the US, that Bonnie began collecting silver spoons, one from each new state she visited. She also enjoyed reading, doing Sudoku, and taking long walks to enjoy the beauty of nature. She volunteered for the Waterloo schools as a 'reading buddy', for elementary aged children. She was a faithful member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Waterloo, where she served at times as a church trustee, on the board of Deacons and organizer of the Christmas Bazaar. Bonnie also helped with countless funeral luncheons and receptions.

What brought the most joy to Bonnie was her family, especially her grandchildren, whom she doted on. She went out of her way to care for everyone she could. Bonnie will be very missed by her loving family and friends, whom she leaves behind.

Bonnie is survived by her daughter Courtney (Thomas) McCaffrey of Washington, D.C., and son Stewart Rickert of Waterloo; 2 grandchildren, Greta and Barrett McCaffrey; stepchildren Christina Pecka and Brian Pecka; 5 step-grandchildren; sister Becky (Will) Masters of Longmont, CO; sisters-and brothers-in-law Regina Rickert, Bruce (Luann) Rickert and Sara (Stan) Faust; 11 nieces and nephews; and beloved dog, Shiloh. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Jeff; brother Jon Hesse; infant brother Gary Hesse; brother-in-law David Rickert; and stepdaughter Anne Brooke.

A memorial service is planned for a later date. Memorials may be directed to the Cedar Bend Humane Society, 1166 W. Airline Highway, Waterloo, Iowa 50703 or to the Girls Scouts Conestoga Council, 2530 University Ave., Waterloo, Iowa 50701. Locke Funeral Home at Tower Park has been entrusted with arrangements. For memories of Bonnie or messages of condolence, please visit our website at www.lockefuneralservices.com or you may call (319) 233-3146.#