In Memory of Virginia L. Rickabaugh

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 2, 2015, at the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, Iowa. The Reverend Kevin J. Freese will officiate. Burial will be in the Mount Hope Cemetery of Battle Creek, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with the family present from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Monday, June 1, 2015 at the Christensen – Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen ~ Van Houten Funeral Home of Battle Creek & Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com 

Virginia L. Rickabaugh was born on June 12, 1943 in Omaha, Nebraska to Joseph Cleon and Virginia Glee (Smith) Call.

Virginia attended school while the family moved frequently throughout her childhood years. The family moved to Ida Grove, Iowa where she graduated from Ida Grove High School in 1960.

Virginia met Ernest Rickabaugh and the couple were united into marriage at the First United Methodist Church of Ida Grove, Iowa, on December 9, 1961. Virginia and Ernest made their home in Battle Creek, Iowa. They were blessed with four children: Tamera, Karman, Ernest E., and Gerald.

Virginia worked various jobs; she was employed at Hartley Memorial Hospital in Battle Creek, Iowa, worked as the administrator of Willow Dale Nursing Home, was a receptionist for Dr. Carol Toben, and worked for Farm Service Agency as a County Office Reviewer for 35 years before retiring in January of 2013.

Virginia lost her courageous fight with aggressive breast cancer in the early hours of the morning on May 30, 2015. She will be remembered for her bravery throughout her lengthy four year fight.

Virginia was loyal member of the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, Iowa, and was currently serving as an Elder in her church. She participated in Presbyterian Women and Battle Creek Women’s Club, and enjoyed singing in the church choir.

Virginia enjoyed, church, reading, Christmas time, attending her children’s and grandchildren’s activities, and spending time with her family.

Left to cherish her memory is her loving husband, Ernest Rickabaugh; children, Tamera (James) Rusch; Karman (Henry) Reitz; Ernest E. (Lynnette Buttler) Rickabaugh; Gerald (Gloria) Rickabaugh; grandchildren, Travis (Wendy) Albers; Brian Albers and Cory Albers; Jamie Rusch; Dustin (Rachel Euchner) Reitz; Trevor (Sabrina) Reitz; Shayla Reitz and Parker Rickabaugh; great grandchildren, Kolby Albers; Hailey Reitz and Dastyn Reitz; brother, Larry (Sharon) Call; sisters-in-law, Sandy Call and Lois Monroe; nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Cleon and Virginia Glee; brother, Rev. Dr. Allen Call; nephew, Todd Call; and grandson, Hayden Rickabaugh.