Richard Tibken

Richard “Rich” Tibken, 78, of Atlantic, formerly of Cumberland, Iowa, died Monday, August 12, 2019, at Heritage House in Atlantic.

Richard Lee Tibken was born on November 10, 1940, in Atlantic, Iowa, the son of Albert Henry and Eleanor Collier (Knop) Tibken. He was baptized at the Wiota First Evangelical Lutheran Church on December 29, 1940, and later confirmed on May 23, 1954. He was raised on the farm and was active in 4-H and the LYC Church Youth Group. His schooling started one mile east of the homeplace at Victory #8 country school. Rich attended Wiota High School through his junior year and finished his senior year at C & M High School in Cumberland; graduating in the Class of 1958. In the spring of 1959, he joined the Army Reserves and was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and Fort Ord in California for six months and remained as an active reserve member for eight years.

On April 8, 1961, he was united in marriage to Martha Elaine Bryson at the Grant United Methodist Church. The couple was blessed with two children, Julie and Mike.

Rich farmed his entire life; it wasn’t just a way of life it was his passion. He was a conserver of the soil and steward of the land; taking great pride in his work in the fields and with his cattle. He looked forward to showing his children and grandchildren the reason he did things the way he did and why he also expected you to follow suit doing it the way he did it; the only way. For example, when building fence every last piece of dirt that you took out of the hole must go back in; it didn’t matter that some of that space was now taken by the post.

Gathering together as family was very important to Rich. When his kids were little they remember gathering for breakfast and knowing when the markets and farm news came on that conversation was to end, or you may get “the look.” Family meals started with a prayer and you could always count on an ample serving of beef and potatoes.

One of his greatest joys were his grandchildren; some might say he had a soft side for them and maybe let them get away with a little too much, but isn’t that what grandpa’s do? He created countless memories for his grandchildren when they spent time at the farm riding in the combine, taking 4-wheeler rides, going for lunch, or having him read them a story.

Rich was a lifelong member of the Wiota First Evangelical Lutheran Church; where he served as a Deacon for many years. He was also a member of the Cumberland Farmers COOP Board and the Cass County Cattlemen’s Association. In his younger years he enjoyed golfing, and in recent years going to Corning for the races and to Kansas City and Indianapolis to NASCAR races. It was hard to get Rich off the farm, but when he did the family vacationed to Colorado and both coasts.

Rich is survived by his wife of 58 years, Martha; daughter, Julie Ecklin of Cumberland; son, Mike (Leann) Tibken of Anita; grandchildren, Nathan Joy, Jessica (Joe) Auen and children, Augustus and Liam, Jocelyn (Cody Marsh) Joy and children, Amya and Wylee, Benjamin Tibken and Abigail Tibken, both of Anita; great-grandchildren, Amya Cuz Joy, Wylee Joe Marsh, Augustus Lyle Auen and Liam Mason Auen; brother, James (Pam) Tibken; sisters, Patricia (Gene) Nilan and Jo Ellen Morgan; sister-in-law, Helen Bryson; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Eleanor Tibken; grandson, Tyler Michael Tibken; son-in-law, Jeremy Ecklin; brother, Robert Tibken; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Junior (Doris) Bryson, Don (Betty) Bryson, Ron Bryson, Robert Bryson, Phyllis (Carl) Lind, Marcella (Kenneth) Jarvis, Mary (Avery) Weston, and Louise (Larry) Baker.

Visitation, with the family present will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 14, 2019, at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, August 15, 2019, at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, south of Wiota, with Pastor Mike Bodkins officiating. Burial will be in the First Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the family for designation at a later date.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Rich’s family and his arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

IN REMEMBRANCE OF

Richard Tibken

BORN
November 10, 1940
Atlantic, Iowa

DIED
August 12, 2019
Atlantic, Iowa
At the age of 78 years, 9 months, 2 days

FUNERAL SERVICE
10:30 a.m., Thursday, August 15, 2019
First Evangelical Lutheran Church
Wiota, Iowa

OFFICIATING
Pastor Mike Bodkins

ORGANIST
Jan Steffens

CONGREGATIONAL MUSICAL SELECTIONS
“Precious Lord, Take My Hand”
“It is Well With My Soul”
“The Old Rugged Cross”

CASKET BEARERS
Nathan Joy
Benjamin Tibken
Zak Kennedy
Eric Euken
Roger Euken
Rich Anstey

HONORARY CASKET BEARERS
Grandchildren, Great-grandchildren, Nieces, Nephews & Friends

FLOWER COMMITTEE
Jeanine Christensen
Virginia Eilts
Barb Waters

INTERMENT
First Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery
Wiota, Iowa


The family appreciates your care and invites you to join them for
lunch following the committal service, in the church fellowship hall.