Anita (Rickenbach) Gilkey found rest on April 23, 2025, in the home of her oldest daughter, Patsy, after many years battling her health. She was born in Chadron, NE, to Max and True Rickenbach on December 24, 1943.Anita grew up alongside her two brothers, Rick and Bob, on a ranch north of Oelrichs, SD. She attended all her school years in Oelrichs where she met her high school sweetheart, Pat Gilkey. She and Pat were married on December 11, 1964. They had two daughters, Patsy in 1968 and Jodi in 1973. During their early married years, they moved to other areas and tried different careers, but the love of ranching brought them back to the Rickenbach ranch.
They spent nearly 50 years farming and ranching north of Oelrichs.After finishing her degree at Chadron State College, she put it to good use at several different jobs in her life - including the VA, Montgomery Wards, Hubbard Milling Company, and Fall River County Courthouse. Her proudest work accomplishment was being elected Register of Deeds for Fall River County after many years working at the courthouse. She retired as Register of Deeds after 23 years of service to Fall River County.After retiring she divided her time between South Dakota and Kansas, attending as many events as she could with her grandkids.
She moved to Kansas soon after her brain surgery where Patsy, Don and their kids helped her through her numerous health battles. Her love for the ranch and Fall River County never left her. She continued to talk about getting back to the ranch and having cows even in her final days. Anita was known for her kind heart, gentle spirit and providing love and support to those around her. She loved her family and friends above all else. She fought through many tough battles to reach family milestones. She is remembered for her sweet tooth, her silly laugh, snapping her gum, her bell collection, and the endless hours she spent playing solitaire.
Anita leaves behind a legacy of love, warmth and unwavering compassion. Left on this earth to live out her legacy are her daughters, Patsy (Don) LaMothe of Abilene, KS; Jodi (Shawn) Banzhaf of Pheonix, AZ; grandkids Ashley (Cory) Stoneberger of Vassar, KS; Zach (Nicky) Banzhaf of Chadron, NE; Jenna Phillips of Chattanooga, TN; bonus grandkids Justin LaMothe of Antlers, OK; and Amanda (JT) Fredericks of Abilene, KS; eight great grandkids, and many nieces and nephews.She is also survived by her brother Rick (Marilynne) of Eden Prairie, MN; Sister-in-law Sharon Rickenbach of Chadron, NE; Brother-in-law Vaughn Meyer of Commerce City, CO; and Brother-in-law Barry (Allison) Butler of New South Wales, Australia. She was preceded in death by her parents, Max and True; husband, Pat; her brother Bob, and four nephews.
Celebration of life services will be hosted by Chamberlain-McColley's Funeral Home on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 10:00 am in Hot Springs, SD. Committal service will immediately follow at the Smithwick Cemetery with a light lunch provided by the Methodist Women at the Prairie View Church. A memorial luncheon will be held for Kansas friends and family from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Garfield Senior Living, Commons Room, Abilene, Kansas.