Lillian Rickey

MADISON-Lillian Mary Rickey, age 100, passed away on Monday, April 16, 2018, at Aster Memory Care.  Lillian Mary and her twin sister, Leillian Martha were born as Mattie and May Kimmel on Sept. 29, 1917, in Richland Center.  They were adopted about a year later by a childless couple, Elwood and Fanny Nealey.  Subsequently, the Nealeys were blessed with a son and four more daughters.  The Nealey family lived in Baraboo until the twins were about ten years old and then moved to Madison.  Lillian and Bill Rickey were married on Aug. 17, 1941.  Lillian cared for her nieces and nephews while Bill worked as a carpenter.  After World War II they began buying and restoring homes on the east side of Madison.  Together they went on to build numerous apartment buildings and homes.  Lillian acted as a carpenter’s helper, installing insulation, holding beams and laying cement.  In 1958, Lillian went back to work to help furnish their new dream home that she and Bill built.  She enjoyed working at the F.W. Means Laundry and her fastidious nature made her an excellent employee for over twenty years.  She made good friends there and enjoyed celebrating with them.  Over her lifetime, Lillian enjoyed cooking and entertaining friends and family, watching football, baseball and hockey, playing cards, gardening and being with her family.  She married into a “card-playing” family and became a shrewd player.  Lillian’s twin sister, Lee, and second husband, John Cummings had a garden and Lillian spent many hours canning tomatoes and vegetables for her family.  She loved making turkey dinners and made the best apple pies you’d ever eat.  She loved children and animals.  Lillian is survived by her daughters, Sandra (Larry) Frank and Susan (Richard) Eley; grandchildren, Christine Buss (Tim Palzkill), Bryan (Shannon) Gilbertson, Gordon Frank (Melissa Seipel), Stefanie (Kevin) Stewart, Melissa (Rene) Soto and Ryan Eley; great-grandchildren, Jason (Porsche) Buss and Brittany Buss, Noah, Evan and Greta Frank, Tanner and Sydney Stewart, Katy, Mason and Olivia Soto, Michael (Krystal) Soto and Jose (Michelle) Soto; great-great-grandchildren, Michael Jr., Joseph, Lilliana, Reyna, Daniel, Joseph, Xavier, Kyree, Aubree and Kamee, sister, Ruth Sharley; sister-in-law Carol Rickey; and many beloved nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; twin sister, Lee; brother, Elwood Jr.; sisters, Adelaide, Victorine, and Ineas; and close friends.  A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 24, 2018.  Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare Inc.  The family would like to especially thank Dr. Albert Musa and his staff, Aster Memory Care, and Agrace HospiceCare Inc.  Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Dr. (608) 221-5420