Thomas Lee "Tom" Ricke was born on October 4, 1950 in Nashville, Kansas to Albert Francis and Mary Catherine (Gillen) Ricke. He was one of sixteen children and the family made their home in Sharon, Kansas. Tom attended grade school at the St. Bonifice Catholic Church and then attended the Sharon High School, graduating with the class of 1969. He went on to attend some college.

Meeting the love of his life, Theresa Ann Cooper and he made a commitment to each other on February 12, 1983. They were blessed with two children, Alisha Bernadette and Joseph Alan and made their home on a farm northeast of Harper, Kansas. On February 12, 2005, Tom and Theresa exchanged wedding vows at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of the St. Joan of Arc Parrish Community in Danville, Kansas. They were members of the St. Patrick Catholic Church of the St. Joan of Arc Parish Community in Harper.

Tom worked as a machinist where he used his skills on a Bridgeport Mill and worked for TECT Power in Wichita, Kansas. He also kept busy on his farm and as his sister put it, was best described as a work horse.

On July 28, 2017, Tom passed away in his home at the age of 66 years, 9 months, and 24 days. He is preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Mary; sister, Carolyn Hrencher; brothers-in-law, Harold Davis and Clarence Hrencher; and sister-in-law, Karol Ricke. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Theresa of the home; daughter, Alisha Bundi and her husband, Ezekiel of Wichita, Kansas; son, Joseph Ricke and his wife, Heather of Harper; grandchildren: Alisha Bridgette Orina, Mandela Orina, Madison Ricke, Andrew Orina, and Trevor Ricke; siblings: JoAnn Rinke and her husband, Charles, Phyllis Davis, Betty Lantzy and her husband, Tom, Delmar Ricke and his wife, Beverly, Ruth Blick and her husband, Victor, Kenneth Ricke, Lou Ricke and his wife, Nancy, Steve Ricke, Kathleen Hart and her husband, Joe, Ron Ricke and his wife, Sheila, Randy Ricke and his wife, Jeanette, Jan Feld and her husband, Neil, Dorene Reeves, and Jerry Ricke and his wife, Carol; numerous nieces and nephews; other family and friends.

Friends may view and register from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday and from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday. A visitation with family present is from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday, all at the funeral home.

Recitation of the Rosary is at 10:15 a.m. and Mass of the Christian Burial is at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Sharon, Kansas with Father Michael Peltzer officiating. Interment will follow at the St. Boniface Catholic Church Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Harper and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Prairie Rose Funeral Homes, 613 W. 14th ~ Harper, Kansas 67058 is in charge of the arrangements.