Robert A. Racicky

1940 - 2024

Robert A. Racicky

May 23, 1940 - November 14, 2024

Robert A. Racicky, 84, of rural Mason City, died on Nov. 14, 2024, at his home.

Robert Anthony "Bob" Racicky was born on May 23, 1940, in Ericson to Lewis Peter and Sara Mae (Hoskins) Racicky. Growing up, he lived on a farm near

Spalding. At the age of 11, he lost his dad to a farm accident leaving four children, Loretta Jean, Robert, Mary, and Cathy along with their mother, Sara. They moved to town and Sara remarried Robert Riebschlager, adding two more children, Peggy and Benjamin, to the family. The family moved to Pleasanton in 1954 where Robert finished school.

He married Debra Mary (Hawkins) of Mason City on June 10, 1960. They moved to Omaha briefly, where he worked for the World Insurance Company. He later decided to return to the Mason City area. The couple bought a house and some farm ground where they started Elk Creek Dairy. Milking cows became a lifelong career.

They added seven children, Greg, Sherry, Pam, Gail, Shawn, Marla, and Kevin, to the family. He said times were tough. He was a jack of all trades and did many jobs to provide for his family. Along with his farm work, he worked for Sargent COOP, did well and windmill repair, at the Ansley Lumber Yard, did fencing, worked for Glaze Furniture doing carpet installation, for BD, as well as hauling milk, selling and installing grain bins, and selling fertilizer and seed corn. He was a very hardworking and driven man.

In 1973, they were named Farm Family of the Year by FHA for progressing the most. They built a new dairy barn and that same year, Robert lost his hand in a farm accident. This changed his life forever, but he never let it slow him down. He eventually retired from milking cows and went to work helping his kids in their business adventures. He was always running errands for everyone. He even ran the township maintainer. He enjoyed having company and taking rides in the side-by-side to see the countryside.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Sara; stepfather, Robert Riebschlager; father and mother-in-law, Harold and Zilpha Hawkins; granddaughter, Deanna Bramer; great-granddaughter, Ella Eberle; sister, Lorrette Jean Racicky; brother-in-law, John Schram; brothers-in-law, Raymond and Irwin Hawkins; sisters-in-law, Marvelle and Sharon Hawkins; 20 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Debra; children, Greg (Joyce) Racicky, Sherry (Ken) Bramer, Pam (Randy) Schweitzer, Gail (Larry) Ferguson, Shawn (Lori) Racicky, Marla Siegel, and Kevin (Jill) Racicky.

Memorials are suggested to the Ansley or Mason City Fire Departments. Online condolences may be shared at govierbrothers.com.

Memorial service is at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the Homeward Trail Bible Camp near Mason City. A visitation and time to greet the family is from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, at the Homeward Trail Bible Camp. Govier Brothers Mortuary of Broken Bow is in charge of arrangements.