Elaine B Rickerd

Elaine Rickerd, age 96, of Woodstock passed away at home on Thursday, July 13, 2023 . Elaine was born on September 25, 1926 in Waukegan, IL to Emma (Van Haeke) and Lawrence Baddaker. She attended Bowling Green State University and graduated in 1949 with a degree in Psychology. She met John Rickerd at a fraternity-sorority party. They married in 1950. She was a loving wife and mother.

Their home served as a neighborhood hub for childrens’ friends. She was active in the PTA and other school events. She served as an election judge for numerous years. She also staffed the soup kitchen at St. Bartholomew Church in Waukegan and the food pantry in Crystal Lake. Her religion and faith were very important to her and she passed it down to her family. She was a member of Resurrection Catholic Church in Woodstock.

Elaine enjoyed gardening and quilting. She particularly enjoyed time spent with her family at their cabin in Spooner, Wisconsin. She especially enjoyed her sunset cruises on Spooner Lake. She traveled extensively with her husband, John, to Australia, New Zealand, China, the Greek Isles, Turkey, Scandinavian capitols, Alaska and Hawaii. She loved sending cards to family members on their birthday. Elaine was an avid Cubs fan and rarely missed a game. She will be remembered for her many qualities, but most of all for her inner strength and resilience.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Bill. Elaine is survived by her husband of 73 years, John. Five children; Patricia (Inman), Laurie, Mark, Carol (Pilger) and Amy (Painter). Nine grandchildren; Kristen, Matthew, Alyssa, Ben, William, Jack, Myles, Brooke and Trevor. Six great-grandchildren; Brynna, Ava, Livia, Everett, Ivy and Haven.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Elaine will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, July 21, 2023 at Resurrection Catholic Church, (2918 Country Club Road, Woodstock, IL 60098). Interment will take place at Ascension Catholic Cemetery in Libertyville at 2:30p.m. Please meet at the main entrance by 2:15p.m. and we will process to the gravesite. A visitation will be held Thursday, July 20, 2023 at the Marsh Funeral Home (305 N. Cemetery Road, Gurnee, IL) from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. and Friday at the church from 10:00 A.M. until the time of Mass.

Special thanks to friends and neighbors at Bull Valley Greens for their love and support. Also, her medical staff at Zion Clinic, JourneyCare Hospice, Ignite Medical Resort, and the caring staff of Northwestern Huntley Hospital. We are grateful for her at-home caregivers who served with compassion.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the Disabled American Veterans.