Obituary of Harold Howard Rickert

Harold Howard Rickert

Harold (Hal) Howard Rickert, 91, of Minneapolis, Minnesota died of natural causes, March 6, 2024, at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Harold Howard Rickert was born August 2, 1932, in Carson Township, Cottonwood County Minnesota, to Karl and Katherina (Balzer) Rickert, one of eleven children. He was baptized and confirmed at the Mountain Lake Evangelical Lutheran Church. He received his grade school education in Rural School District 80 East, graduated from Mountain Lake High School in 1950, and was a member of the football team.

Harold attended Mankato State Teachers College (now Minnesota State University) graduating in 1954 with a degree in Science and Industrial Technology. He served in the United States Army, October 1954 to January 1957, at Fort Bliss, Texas, and spent nine months in Germany. He continued his education at the University of Minnesota, St Paul Campus, completed a second Bachelor's degree in Agriculture in 1961, then farmed for one year with his brother Henry.

Harold was employed by Green Giant for three years in the early 1960s, followed by work with International Minerals Chemicals Co in Minnesota for three years. In 1968, he moved to Minneapolis and worked for Northrup Seed Company for 15 years traveling the United States. Harold worked until his retirement at age 78, in non-profit organizations, helping urban elderly remain in their homes.

Harold became adopted 'grandpa' to Tomah, a next door neighbor. Tomah encouraged him to become a first time dog owner to Tango, in 2011. Tango kept him company on his daily S mile walks around Lake Nokomis. Harold (and Tango) moved to Nokomis Apartments in 2014, where he enjoyed many new friends, activities and endless evenings of fine dining.

Harold was known for his interest in healthy living, exercising, eating organic foods and drinking pure well water. He kept himself at the forefront of nutritional research and proactive health practices. One celebrated, memorable practice, was the annual pickle making weekend with his nieces and nephew at his nieces lake home. Pickles were made and stories were shared to savor for the next generation.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Walter, Henry, Fred, Carl: sisters, Anna Hoppe, Minnie Olson, Emma Norland, Amanda Rickert, Katie Rickert and Esther Janzen. All had lived in the Cottonwood County area of Minnesota. He was also preceded in death by nephew, Kirk Rickert, niece, Paula LaMont, and faithful companion, Tango (2023).

Harold is survived by nieces and nephews: Sandra Janzen, Barbara Janzen, Curtis Janzen, Glenda Janzen, Carol Olson Loomis, John Olson and Michelle LaMont Travis Yeary, many other relatives and friends.