Helga Rikkers

Helga Friedrichsen Rikkers, age 84 of Ripon, WI, went to her heavenly home on November 6, 2025. Helga was born on April 9, 1941, in Struckum, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, a small village near the North Sea; the daughter of Hans and Friederike (Lorenzen) Friedrichsen. Her family immigrated to Madison, WI, in March 1952, where she attended Lapham School. Her family then moved to Smyrna, GA, in 1954, where she graduated from Campbell High School in 1960. Helga attended UW-Madison and graduated with a BS/Certificate in Physical Therapy in 1964. She was a member of Phi Kappa Phi honor society and Chi Omega sorority.

Helga was united in marriage to Judson J. “Rik” Rikkers, Jr. on January 30, 1965, at St. Francis University Chapel in Madison. He preceded her in death on October 29, 2025. Helga followed Rik in the Army from 1966 to 1969 to South Carolina, Georgia, and Colorado. They raised a family in Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, and Ripon while she worked as a physical therapist at the Ripon Hospital and local nursing homes and as a bookkeeper for the family business, J.J. Rikkers Properties.

Faith, church and community were very important to Helga. She was a devoted member of the Immanuel Methodist church in Ripon, WI where she served in the Choir and as Secretary on the Memorial Committee. Her favorite volunteering events over her lifetime were as Co-Leader of Ripon Aktion Club. She was a member and President of GFWC Ripon Women’s Club and Ripon Noon Kiwanis Club, Co-Chairman of Dickens of a Christmas, Treasurer of the Ripon United Way Board, Secretary and Board Member of Diverse Options, and member of the first City of Ripon Recycling Committee. Helga recently received the 2025 Kiwanis Case Van Kleef Fellowship Award for her outstanding community service. She also loved participating in the Ripon Community Theater and belonged to many bridge groups. Helga enjoyed board games, reading, pets, traveling, crossword puzzles and, especially, time with family.

Helga is survived by four sons: David (Sandra) Rikkers of Andover, MA, Dr. Andrew (Jennifer) Rikkers of Waterloo, IA, Benjamin (Maria) Rikkers of Whitefish Bay, WI, and Daniel (Kimberlie) Rikkers of Scottsdale, AZ; grandchildren: Garret, Brooke, Megan, Judson, Drew, Jack, Tessa, Ingrid, and Audrey; many cousins in Germany, Austria, and Denmark; other relatives and many dear friends. She is preceded in death by her parents and husband, Rik.

A Celebration of Lives Service for Helga and Rik will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Immanuel United Methodist Church in Ripon, WI with Rev. Neil Wilson officiating. You may view a livestream of the service at 11:00 am by visiting this link LIVESTREAM. Family and friends may visit at the church on January 10, 2026 from 9 am until the time of the services.  A private family Inurnment will immediately follow at Oak Mound Cemetery in Alto, WI. All are welcome for a reception in the "Upper Room" at Knuth's at 230 Watson Street in Ripon from 12:30 pm - 5:00 pm.  Divine Passage Funeral Home in Ripon is proudly serving the Rikkers family. Divinepassagefunerals.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Scout Troop 735 c/o Troop Treasurer: Dan Johnson 13963 Oak Haven Dr. Ripon, 54971 or the ALS Association at als.org are appreciated.

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