Kirsten Ricke

Kirsten Ricke was born in Ringsaker, Norway, the daughter of Adolf and Margit (Aurlien) Vingerhagen, on November 11, 1918. She was baptized at the Veldre Church in Norway on December 29, 1918 by Pastor Riiser and confirmed on October 2, 1932 in the Lutheran faith at Ringsaker Church, Norway, by the Pastor Pharo. After grade school graduation, she went to a Christian school for youth, Home Economics School, and Horticulture College, and later worked at nurseries a few years. In 1947, she left for America to spend a year with an Aunt and Uncle in Montana and help take care of their children. On November 9, 1947, she was united in marriage to Christian Peterson of Augusta, Montana in Laurel, Montana by Pastor Anderson. They moved to Benson in September of 1948. This union was blessed with two children, Mary Ann (Mrs. Gary Fahl) of Benson and Richard (Marianne) of Fairbault. Christian died on August 14, 1952. Kirsten worked at Breen’s Pharmacy for 26 years, retiring in 1986.

On March 16, 1986, she was united in marriage to Delmar Ricke. They enjoyed traveling to Arizona, and spent a few winters there, and also took 2 trips to Norway together. She was a member of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church and Sons of Norway. Kirsten enjoyed knitting, embroidery, crocheting, gardening, and visiting and sharing her hospitality with family, friends, and visitors from Norway. She was called from this life on Wednesday, December 23, 2015, at Homestead Place North in Benson.

Kirsten is survived by her daughter, Mary Ann (Gary) Fahl of Benson; a son, Richard (Marianne) Peterson of Faribault; grandchildren: Aaron (Angie) Fahl, Jacob (Angela) Fahl, Kari (Greg) Sayuk, Elizabeth Peterson, and Rebecca (Mark) Trnka; great-grandchildren: Brady Fahl, Avery Fahl, Julia Fahl, Jude Fahl, Jonah Fahl, and Dominik Sayuk; numerous nieces and nephews from Norway; and stepchildren: Carol (Ted) Frood, Arnold (Vivian) Ricke, and Sharon (Marvin) Martinson. form Norway.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Christian Peterson; her second husband Delmar Ricke; parents, Adolf and Margit Vingerhagen; four brothers: Peter, Magnus, Thorbjorn, Håkon; and sister, Marit Skarseth.