Ricky Lee (Rick) Mitteness was born on August 10, 1957 in Benson, Minnesota. He passed away on September 25, 2024, under the care of Hospice in Corydon, Iowa. Rick was born to Leonard and Charlotte (Swenson) Mitteness of rural Benson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian Faith at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Benson. He attended country school with his siblings and neighborhood kids.
Rick graduated from Benson High School in 1975 where he was active in 4-H, FFA, Livestock Judging and wrestling. In the fall of 1976, he attended the University of Minnesota, Crookston. It is here he met his future wife, Page Olson. They lived in Crookston, Minnesota where they worked for the Crookston Cattle Company. After their son Aaron was born, they moved to Milton Iowa where Rick worked as a herdsman and later at a foundry.
Upon the passing of Page’s grandfather, Tom Lockridge, they moved to his farm, Lockmoor Angus Farms, near Russell, Iowa. It was here that Rick and Page started in farming and continued in raising angus cattle. They became established in the Russell and Corydon communities. Rick was active with the Wayne County Fair board.
Rick lived his life with optimism. He always saw the glass as half full. He loved his family especially his grandchildren, Skye, Thor, Brynlee, and Kolter. He believed in God and country. He was patriotic and a true conservative. He looked out and helped his neighbors.
Rick had the gift to gab and a wonderful sense of humor. Because of these qualities he had many friends from many walks of life. To quote Rick, “Dad once told me he’d rather have 10 friends than $10 and I never forgot that.” Rick enjoyed when people would stop by and he would stop whatever he was doing to just talk.
Rick is survived by his wife, Page, of 46 years, his sons Aaron (Wendi) Mitteness, Brian (Jonda) Mericle, his grandchildren Skye Mitteness, Thor Mitteness, Brynlee Bingham, and Kotler Bingham. His siblings: Michele (John) Westlund from Punta Gorda, Florida, Chantell (Bob)Hay from Buffalo, Minnesota, Lynette, (Special friend Dennis Peterson) from Alexandria Minnesota, Randy (Karen)Mitteness, from Benson, Minnesota. His brother-in-law Eric Olson of Park Rapids and sister and brother- in- law Anne and Bill Bialke, Upstate New York.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Charlotte Mitteness, and In-Laws Harold and Eleanor (Lockridge) Olson.
The family will being having a celebration of life at a later time. Memorials may be sent to Wayne County Fair: 201 West Jackson Street, Corydon, Iowa 50060. Condolences may be shared online at www.thomasfh.com or on our funeral home Facebook page, www.facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.
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