Rick Bendixen

Richard "Rick" Allan Bendixen, age 67, of Zearing, Iowa, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at Green Hills in Ames on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, after a courageous six-year battle with Parkinson's disease.
Rick was born on June 4, 1958, in Anamosa, Iowa, the cherished son of Richard and Arlene Ann (Harms) Bendixen. He graduated from Anamosa High School in 1976 and continued his education at Kirkwood Community College. On August 14, 1982, Rick married the love of his life, Kathy Nickerson, at the Church of Christ United in Winthrop, Iowa. Their union was blessed with a family and a lifetime of wonderful memories.
Rick spent his career working in warehouses and, most recently, served as a custodian at Colo-NESCO Schools, where his dedication and kindness touched many lives. He retired in 2023 after seven years.
Rick was known for his love of music, enjoying all types and genres, and was famous for his ability to identify almost any song title. He was a devoted father, coaching his children in basketball and sharing his enthusiasm for cycling by participating in several RAGBRAI rides across Iowa. He also loved watching his grandchildren, nieces, and nephews play sports and was a loyal fan of the Iowa State Cyclones. Rick had a notorious sweet tooth, especially for chocolate. Among his many talents, he was an accomplished table tennis player (not ping-pong), and his witty sense of humor and iconic Sven and Ole jokes will be missed by all who knew him.
Rick is survived by his beloved wife, Kathy, of Zearing; his children Kari (Matt) Sinopoli of Des Moines, Tiffany (Andrew) Mueller of Prairie City, and Jonathan (Ashley) Bendixen of Van Meter; his parents Richard and Arlene Bendixen of Anamosa; his sisters Julie (Brian) Nassif of Anamosa, and Jan (Greg) Holcomb of Martelle; and his cherished grandchildren: Damien, Paityn, Levi, and Roman Sinopoli; Ben and Ava Mueller; and Isabelle Willis-Van Donsler.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Nicole (in infancy) and two Mueller grandchildren (in infancy).
A visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 24, 2025, at Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home, 1418 Fawcett Pkwy, in Nevada. The funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, also at the funeral home, with interment to follow at Lincoln Township Cemetery in Zearing. The funeral will be livestreamed and can be viewed on Rick's tribute page at www.rasmussonfh.com.
Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada has been entrusted with the care of Rick and his family. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.rasmussonfh.com.
Rick will be remembered for his warmth, his laughter, and the love he gave so freely to family and friends. His memory will live on in the hearts of those he touched.