Richard Herbert Recker

Richard Herbert Recker, 76, of rural Delhi, Iowa, passed away at his home on Monday, November, 15, 2021, surrounded by his family, after a long courageous battle with cancer. Richard was born February 17, 1945 on the family farm near Dyersville, the first child born to Julius J. and Dolores (Lueck) Recker. He attended St. Mary Catholic School and enlisted in the Iowa National Guard from 1965 until 1972. 

On April 23, 1966, Richard was united in marriage to Jean Ann Pasker at St. Mary Catholic Church in Manchester. Three children were born to this union.

Richard worked for Jasper Construction, Fred Willenborg and area farmers before he moved to his farm near Delhi in the Fall of 1965. He was a very successful, dedicated and hardworking farmer. He also was an accomplished, self-taught welder, welding farm equipment and farrowing crates. Richard later worked at EIP until he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015. He continued to farm with his son, Brian for six more years.  Richard and Brian farmed together right up until his death. Richard was very proud of his many farming accomplishments. His children and grandchildren will always remember his strength, strong work ethic, passion for farming, endless advice and words of wisdom.

Richard and Jean Ann loved dancing together to area bands such as Western Kings, The Sounds of Nashville and Dancin’ Country. They spent part of the winter months in Arizona before Jean Ann’s passing. In most recent years Richard continued to attend dances and enjoyed spending the winter months in Texas dancing at area honky-tonks.

He is survived by his three children, Brian (Janice) of Dyersville, Lauri (Marty) Westhoff of Earlville and Charlene Mathews of Urbana; five grandchildren, Brandon and Rachael Recker, Cassandra Westhoff, Haleigh and Jordan Mathews; his siblings Gary (Virginia) of Manchester, Diane (Jerry) Rolwes of Farley, Susan (Dennis) Stephan of Freeport IL, Mark (Deb) of Manchester, Michael of Earlville, Mary Jane (Steve) Michaels of Waukee, Robert (Deb) of Strawberry Point, Nancy (Mike) Brannon of Parkersburg, Denise (Mike) Pirc of Dyersville, Jeff (Julie) of Marion, Steve of Iowa Falls and David (Jodi) of Lancaster WI; sister-in-law Susan Recker of Gillette WY;  brothers and sisters in-law Jean Pasker, Ken Pasker, Carol Beaman, Joseph (Dana) Pasker all of Manchester, Donna (Norman) Wiest, Tacoma Washington and Julie (Robert) Heims of Cedar Rapids; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Jean Ann in 2014; his parents Julius and Dolores; three brothers Merle, Dennis and Kevin; parents-in-law Joseph and Antoinette (Nettie) Pasker; brother-in-law Jerry Pasker; sisters-in-law Paula Pasker and Christine Recker.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard Herbert Recker, please visit our floral store.