Death Records

Mrs. Helen Ricker

Canadian Co., Oklahoma

El Reno American

Nov. 15, 1934

MRS. RICKER PASSES AWAY --- Pioneer Citizen of El Reno Was Active in Church and Society.  Another pioneer citizen of El Reno stepped out of the rapidly thinning ranks Tuesday, when Mrs. H. K. Ricker, who came to El Reno with her husband on the first passenger train to come into the city, in January,1890, passed away after a brief illness.  Mrs. Helen McGregor Ricker was born in Harrison county, Mo., September 28, 1860, being 74 years of age at the time of her death.  She spent the first 12 years of her life at Des Moines, Iowa., moving from there to Pierce City, Mo., and later to Atoka, Okla., and to St. Joseph, Mo. At the latter place she was untied in marriage to Mr. Ricker in 1886.  To this union was born a son, Glen M. Ricker, who is associated with his father in the abstract business here.  During her residence of 44 years in El Reno, Mrs. Ricker has been active in church, cultural and social enterprises.  She untied with the Baptist church in 1900, and served as Sunday school teacher for 23 years and president of the Ladies Aid Society for several years.  She was the oldest living member and past-president of the Athenaeum club, which she joined in 1900.  She was noted here for her artistic talent, and has left many mementoes of her ability in the form of paintings and hand-decorated china and pottery.  A memorial picture in the baptistery of the Baptist church was painted in her 72nd year.  Survivors include the husband, son, two grandchildren, Helen Lou and John Henry Ricker, a sister, Mrs. J. S. Warren of Tulsa, and a brother C. H. McGregor of Los Angeles, Calif.  Funeral services were conducted Thursday morning from the Baptist church here by Rev. J. W. Hodges, assisted by Rev. H. B. Wilhoyte, Interment was made in the El Reno cemetery by the side of the parents of the deceased.