Obituary for Gene Rick

Gene Rick died on January 15, 2022.

Born on December 8, 1942, to Fred and Louise Rick, he grew up on a farm and answered the call to Christian ministry after he had finished high school. The call of Christ was the driving force and strength that kept Gene going – sometimes working long hours, but always having a joy in his life. Some of Gene’s favorite words were the ones that called him into Christian ministry: “Whoever will come after me needs to deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.”

“What does it profit a person to gain the whole world and lose his soul”

Hopefully Gene will be remembered for living with that spirit and the love that he felt from his Lord. (written by Gene 1/23/1991 as part of a church study group)

Gene was a United Methodist pastor for 33 years serving churches in Harmony-State Line, Lake City-Zumbro Falls, and Elk River, MN. After retiring, Gene was active at Immanuel- Corcoran. He was very involved at CAER, the Elk River food shelf.

Gene especially enjoyed banana cream pie, had a reputation for eating a lot, including a family record for ears of corn on the cob. He loved fishing, camping and driving FORD vehicles, as well as teaching others to water ski. Gene was a weather man, skilled fix-it guy and nature fan.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Willard and Louis. He is survived by loving wife of 53 years, Mary Ann; daughters, Suzanne and Jon Palmen of Kenosha, WI and Kimberly and Shane Morris of Lenexa, KS; granddaughters, Danielle, Allison, Andrea, Olivia and Jaclyn; sister, Elouise Koenig; sister-in-law, Diane Rick; along with many other family and friends.

Due to the pandemic, there will be a small service, primarily for family, Tuesday, January 18^th at 5pm. Others are encouraged to join in worshipping through the Immanuel United Methodist Church of Corcoran’s Facebook page to celebrate Gene’s life.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks memorials to be made in Gene’s name to Immanuel UMC or the United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR.)