Cover photo for Catherine "Kay" Ryckeghem's Obituary
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1925 Catherine 2015

Catherine "Kay" Ryckeghem

May 6, 1925 — December 30, 2015

Vernon Ryckeghem was born on April 3, 1926, in Moline, IL, and passed away on Monday, December 28, 2015, at UnityPoint Health - Trinity Rock Island, IL. He was followed in death by his loving wife, Catherine "Kay" M. Ryckeghem, on Wednesday, December 30, 2015. She was born on May 6, 1925, in Moline, and passed away at their home in Moline. They were preceded in death by his parents, Maurice and Rachel Dankaert Ryckeghem, and Kay's parents, Albert and Minnie Petersen Creen; 4 brothers and 3 sisters.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, January 5, 2016, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 412 10th Street, Moline, IL. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. with a Rosary at 3:30 p.m. Monday, January 4, 2016, at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., 6601 38th Avenue, Moline. Burial will be at the National Cemetery at the Rock Island Arsenal, where military honors will be conducted by the Moline American Legion Post 246. Memorials may be made to their family for a fund to be established in their name.

Vernon and Kay were married on October 29, 1946, in Moline. They are both survived by their children; son, Richard A and Kathy L. of Moline; daughters, Janis K. Rasso and Terry Mooney of Moline; daughter, Tami D. Cox and Tom Cox of East Moline; 16 grandchildren, Scott and Kelly Ryckeghem, Andalusia, Tracey and Mike Gowdy, Rock Island, Todd and Deb Ryckeghem, Moline, Heather and Andy Wangler, Rock Island, Eric and Kristin Rasso, Moline, Maranda and J C Millman, Rock Island, Lindsey and Brad Hines, Moline, Elizabeth and Jeff Rose, Moline; 19 great grandchildren and 1 on the way in January; 4 step great grandchildren; two step great great grandchildren. Kay is survived by her sisters, Ethel Creen, Lois Wilson, Bev Pilichowski, Joe Creen (Judy), Sally VanOteghem (Jack), and sisters-in-law, Joan Creen and Doris Creen.

Vernon enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in May of 1944, and continued until August of 1946. During WWII, he served in the Pacific theater. He served again from November of 1947 thru September of 1949 during the Korean Conflict. He later became a member of the American Legion and VFW. While Vernon was serving his country, Kay stayed home and cared lovingly for their family.

Vernon joined the Moline Fire Department and worked for 26 years retiring at the rank of Captain. He loved fishing and hunting as well as camping with the family. He loved playing Rolle Bolle at his Ex-Servicemen Club, but his true love was simply to spend time with his family and playing euchre with his brothers-in-law.

Kay was a wonderful wife and homemaker. Kay took care of their three children, along with helping to raise their grandchildren. Kay held several part time jobs, but her true love was spending time with her sisters and family.

As they were in life they are now in death "once together, always together".

Kay and Vern were both members of St. Mary's Moline. They helped start the St. Mary's food pantry. Kay was a member of St. Mary's Altar and a Rosary society, choir and also the funeral choir.

Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.

Visitation Details

Monday, January 4th, 2016, 4:00pm - 7:00pm, Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory

Service Details

Tuesday, January 5th, 2016, 10:00am, St. Mary's Catholic Church Moline

Interment Details

National Cemetery


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