Frances Ryden Ricker

Frances Loraine Ryden Ricker died on February 3, 2020. She was born in Waco, Texas on September 8, 1924, the daughter of Celeste Dahlberg Ryden and Carl Arthur Ryden. She graduated from Waco High School, Baylor University with a BA degree, and Scarritt College in Nashville with a Master’s Degree in Religious Education. She served as Youth Director of the First United Methodist Church, Borger, Texas and Director of Wesley Foundation of Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas.

In 1947 she married George Ricker while he was attending SMU. While at SMU, she was associate to the Director of Religious Activities. They moved to New York City where Dr. Ricker was enrolled at Union Theological Seminary. While he attended classes, she was an assistant in the UTS registrar’s office. Their life together in Bertram, Fredericksburg, Columbus, San Angelo, Edinburg, Corpus Christi, and Austin held all the joys and sorrows, satisfactions and struggles that accompany a pastor’s family. Through the years she has been loved and respected for her relational qualities, and her family and church centeredness. Frances’ many years of marriage to the Rev. Dr. George Ricker meant that she lived in eight different communities in Texas. She directed a choir, sang in numerous choirs, taught Sunday school classes, and served as Secretary for Children’s Work for the Southwest Texas Conference’s United Methodist Women. Later in life she entered the teaching profession teaching elementary children in Edinburg and New Braunfels.

After retiring she continued choir work at University United Methodist Church in Austin. As a volunteer at the Montopolis Friendship Community Center, she served as co-chair of the board for three years followed by three years as the chair. With her husband she has been a leader in the Marriage Enrichment movement. They have led over twenty Marriage Enrichment Seminars and served as treasurers of the state chapter of ACME (Association of Couples in Marriage Enrichment).

She is survived by her husband, George Ricker and three children and three in-laws: Lois York of Lake Hills, Texas and her husband Glen; David Ricker of Canyon Lake, Texas and his wife Theresa; Philip Ricker of Ropesville, Texas and his wife Anna; six grandchildren and several great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Arthur Ryden, Jr. of Union City, Georgia.

Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 pm Friday, February 7, 2020 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin. Funeral Service will be 1:00 pm Saturday, February 8, 2020 at University United Methodist Church, 2409 Guadalupe, Austin. Graveside will be 3:30 pm Saturday, February 8, 2020 at Austin Memorial Park, 2800 Hancock Dr., Austin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to University United Methodist Church Foundation Austin, or a favorite charity.