Richard R. "Rick" Lynch

Richard R. “Rick” Lynch, 77, of St. Libory, died unexpectedly, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, at CHI Health St. Francis in Grand Island.

Graveside Services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024 at the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul. Pastor Nicole Schwartz-Eck will officiate.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Beer Barrel Bar in St. Libory. 

Memorials are suggested to St. Libory EMS or to the family for later designation.

Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting the family.

Rick was born on Nov. 6, 1947, at Fort Dodge, Iowa, the son of Francis L. and Gladys M. (Cupp) Lynch. He grew up in Alden, Iowa and graduated from Alden High School in 1965. He then attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in 1969.

He was united in marriage to Sally S. Hammel on Aug. 31, 1968, in Greene, Iowa.

He served in the United States Army from Aug. 1970 to March 1972. After his basic training he was stationed in Germany. He also continued to serve in the US Army Reserves for several more years.

Rick worked as a feed salesman for Ralston Purina in Iowa City from 1973 to 1974 and Wayne Feeds in Iowa City and then in Grand Island from 1975 to 2000. He also sold cars at Paul Spady Motors in Hastings, before his retirement.

He was a former member of the St. Paul Country Club, the Palmer United Methodist Church and American Legion Post 120 of Palmer and had served as a board member of the Howard County Historical Society. Over the years he had traveled extensively with the US Army, working for Wayne Feeds, and vacations with family and friends.

Rick pitched fast-pitch softball for many years in Ames, Iowa City, Patch Barracks (in Stuttgart, Germany) and for the Palmer, NE, town team. He also coached 7-9 age boys baseball for 6 years and girls softball for 2 really long years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf and family. After his health declined, he really enjoyed watching old westerns on TV.

He is survived by his wife, Sally of St. Libory; children, Jeffrey Lynch of San Marcos, TX, Michael and Ashley Lynch of St. Paul and Jenna and Steve Janulewicz of Grand Island; and six grandchildren, Taevyn and London Lynch, Jordan and Kinzley Lynch and Owen and Ava Janulewicz.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother and sister-in-law, Darwin and Estie Schroeder.