Mary Helen Rickert, born July 26, 1926, the firstborn of Willard and Wilmetta Bevan, was granted eternal release from her earthly body and her spirit welcomed by her God in heaven on August 19, 2020. There is much rejoicing that she knew her Savior and His promise of everlasting life in His presence.
She is preceded in death by her husband Rick and brother Warren Bevan.
She is survived by: daughter Mindy (Rickert) Brink & husband Tom of Brighton, CO, and children Dr. Erin Hoffman of Sterling, CO (husband Logan, and son Cal), Austin Brink (Denver, CO), Dylan Brink, and Coltin Brink (wife Shayli) of Montrose, CA; daughter Cindy (Rickert) Bogue & husband Greg of Wichita, KS, and children Brandon Bogue (wife Amber, and children Braxton, Alexa, & Bridger) of Prosper, TX, and Brooke (Bogue) Roberts (husband Joshua, and children Mia, Axel, & Elliott); sisters Geri (Bevan) Peterson (husband Dick) of Santa Barbara, CA, and sister DJ (Bevan) Lindholm (husband Wesley) of The Villages, FL.
Born in Holton, Kansas, Mary lived much of her life on the family farm with her siblings Warren, Geri, and D.J. She most likely helped in caring for her family, visiting her grandmother across the road, and spending time on horseback whenever possible.
She married William Rickert in 1945, and for the most part enjoyed her years as a meticulous housekeeper and wife, beautiful seamstress, ruthless bridge player, avid flower gardener, hospitable hostess in their home, willing helper to many, and a nurturer and “cheerleader” to daughters Mindy and Cindy. Many were the bleacher seats she sat upon, encouraging her girls, and later her grandchildren in their myriad of endeavors. A 1970 Cutlass convertible provided many occasions for fun, as she loved to drive or ride with “the top down!” She had quite a green thumb wherever she happened to land, and often were the times one would enter her home and see a dainty arrangement of freshly cut roses. Her family, neighbors, friends from church, local PTA’s, and bridge groups were a joy for her to serve. She and her sisters and one brother remained close over the years; and what a “threesome” those three sisters were when together! But her greatest joy by far was being with her children, her grandchildren, and her seven great-grandchildren. And oh, how they loved her!
After hubby Rick’s death in 2007, Mary moved from their Hesston home back to Wichita, and in her later years was invited to move to Brighton, Colorado, where she enjoyed and experienced nine years of loving care and the busy schedules of the Brink household. After watching grandchildren Brandon and Brooke grow, graduate, and spread their wings as young adults, she did the same with grandchildren Erin, Austin, Dylan, and Coltin. There was seldom a dull moment in Colorado! In 2009 and following, Mary welcomed seven great-grandchildren: Braxton, Mia, Axel, Alexa, Elliott, Bridger, and Cal. Her countenance and demeanor always “danced” around the “little people” in her life!
During the last two months of her life, amid the dramatic and threatening Covid-19 outbreak, daughter Mindy lovingly brought her mother into the Brink family home, hoping to extend her days with loving and constant care, a much needed respite from the isolation Mary had already endured. It was by God’s design and the love of her Brighton family that Mary gratefully lived out her last days. So often she would articulate her gratitude and thankfulness for their caring ways. She calmly and peacefully took the extended hand of Jesus with daughter Mindy by her side on August 19, 2020.
God promises for our loved one a perfectly healthy eternal body one day known only to Him. Mary loved Jesus, her family, and her friends. She was loved much by so many. She will be missed until we meet again.
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow her, and she shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever!”
