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BORN
1926
DIED
2024
Richard Reckinger Obituary
Richard Nickolas Reckinger, born September 4, 1926 to Helen Irene and Nickolas Reckinger, So. St. Paul, MN, died July 10, 2024.
Funeral Mass at St. Louis Catholic Church, Foreston, Wednesday, September 4, at 11 a.m. We will celebrate his life on his 98th birthday. Interment is Thursday at 11 a.m. at the MN Veteran's Cemetery at Camp Ripley.
Grew up at So. St. Paul where he attended Catholic/public schools until age 17 when he enlisted in the US Navy December 1943 until April 1946. During this time, he served in the South Pacific from April of 1944 to November 1945. After discharge, he settled near Mora where he farmed for a couple years, but a bachelor's life was too lonesome; he went to Wyoming where he worked on a ranch near Elk Mountain.
When the Korean War broke out, he enlisted in the US Air Force December of 1950 and served three years being stationed at Wiesbaden, Germany working at the base fire station in Crash/Rescue, discharged in 1954. Just miles from Reckinger relatives, he spent lots of time with them. After discharge, he settled at Duluth, MN, again working in uniform for the US Air Force in Crash/Rescue as a civil servant until summer of 1956.
He met Jeanine Menton from Cohasset, MN and the couple were married December of 1956 at St. Stephen's Catholic Church, Anoka, MN where they made their home. They had five children: Wade, Bret, Kurt, Lance and Judy. They moved to Estes Brook in 1960 where the family attended St. Louis Catholic Church, Foreston and after changing residences, St. Edward's Catholic Church, Princeton.
Richard worked for various companies during his life: Twin City Army Ammunition Plant, New Brighton for 13 years; when the arsenal closed he transferred over to Federal Hoffman, Anoka for seven years, taking early retirement from there at age 60.
He took up motorcycling, long-distance bicycling, hunting, fishing, walking and breakfast with friends at McDonald's. Richard enjoyed 38 ears of retirement. He always said, "It has been a good life and you can't get to heaven unless you die first."
Preceded in death by his parents, sons Kurt and Lance.
Survived by wife Jeanine; children Wade (Laida), Bret and Judy; seven grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; many family and friends.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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