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Judson “Rik” John Rikkers, Jr., age 83, of Ripon, WI, went to his heavenly home on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. Rik was born on May 19, 1942 at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac, WI; the son of Judson John and Dorothy (Layton) Rikkers. Rik attended primary school in Waupun and high school in Waupun and Wayland Academy, graduating in 1960. He graduated from UW-Madison in 1964 with a BS in Psychology and minor in Zoology. He was a member of Chi Psi fraternity, and the original organizer of the Pre-Med Society.
Rik was united in marriage to Helga Friedrichsen on January 30, 1965 at St. Francis University Chapel in Madison. He attended Officer Candidate School and served in the U.S. Army in the Military Battalion at Ft. Carson, CO from 1966 to 1969. He founded and led J.J. Rikkers Builders and J.J. Rikkers Realty, developing Canterbury Village, Fox Meadows Condominiums and Kensington Gardens in Ripon. He was the President of the Oshkosh Boys and Girls Club, Ripon Rotary, Ripon Chamber of Commerce, and the Ripon/ Green Lake Board of Realtors. Rik was a devoted member of Immanuel Methodist Church in Ripon, WI. Faith and Bible Study were very important to him.
Rik is survived by his wife, Helga; 4 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; brother, Dr. Layton (Diane) Rikkers of Madison, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many dear friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and 2 sisters.
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 the Scouts or Ripon Rotary are appreciated. Scout Troop 735 c/o Troop Treasurer: Dan Johnson 13963 Oak Haven Dr. Ripon, 54971. Rotary Club of Ripon Charitable Foundation
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Judson "Rik" J. Rikkers, Jr., please visit our floral store.