Patricia Jane Ricker

Our beloved mother and grandmother, Patricia "Pat" Ricker, (née Stokes) was born on December 2, 1925, in Chicago, Illinois and departed this life in Guthrie, Oklahoma on November 16, 2022, just two weeks and two days shy of her 97th birthday. Working at Western Electric in Chicago, Mom sat by a woman who had a picture on her desk of her handsome, young nephew wearing his WWII Air Corp uniform and suggested that she should meet him. Mom agreed and the rest is history. Pat and Conrad "Rick" Ricker were married on July 10, 1948 and eventually bought a home in LaGrange, Illinois. In May 1951, they introduced twins, Robert "Bobby" and William "Billy" into the world. Unfortunately, a complication during birth resulted in handicaps for both. Mom and Dad were especially caring and loving to their boys and worked hard to take care of their challenging needs, Dad working at Western Electric and attending night college and Mom staying at home caring for the boys, welcoming help from new friends and sweet neighbors.In 1960, Dad accepted an offer to transfer to the new Western Electric plant opening up in Oklahoma City. Along with a host of other transferees who would become lifelong friends, Mom and Dad settled in "Little Chicago," a newly developing neighborhood in northwest Oklahoma City. In 1963, they welcomed the birth of daughter, Karen, and 16 months later, twins, James "Jim" and Anita. Our fondest childhood memories are from family camping trips and we have Mom to thank for that. Mom suggested to Dad that they buy a camper. Initially resisting, Dad relented and he later admitted, Mom was right. We enjoyed many summers, usually in the Colorado mountains but also many other places around the country. A boat was later added to the mix and local lake trips became common.Mom was an excellent cook and would create big, delicious meals, even on our camping trips using the small kitchen stove/oven. Mom loved having family over for meals always enticing us with promises to make our favorite dishes.After raising their younger brood into teens, Mom got back into the workforce and was excited when Western Electric offered her a job at the Oklahoma City plant and bridged her service from her time in Chicago, retiring in 1990, Dad having retired a couple years earlier. The following years were spent traveling with friends and family including her beloved twin brother, "Bud" and his wife, Gloria; helping to care for a growing family of grandchildren and playing board games, a favorite being Rummikub. Mom is preceded in death by her parents, Edward F. and Nellie (née Clair) Stokes; husband, Conrad "Rick"; sons, Robert and William; her twin brother, Edward "Bud" J. Stokes; sister, Marcella McFatridge and her beloved aunt, Annabelle Clair. Surviving Mom include her children, Karen (Mark) Mitchell, Edmond, OK; Anita (Steve) Zotto, Edmond, OK and James "Jim" Ricker, Noble, OK. Survivors also include grandchildren, Megan Mitchell, Oklahoma City, OK; Ryan Mitchell, Oklahoma City, OK; Steven Zotto, Addison, Texas and Natalie Zotto, Denver, CO; niece, Penne Feldhacker, Sun City, AZ and sister-in-law, Gloria Stokes of Chicago also survives Mom.The family would like to give a special thank you to the very loving and caring staff at Golden Age Nursing Home of Guthrie, Companion Home Health/Hospice Care and St. Mary Catholic Church of Guthrie.Services for Pat will be held Tuesday, November 22nd, 10:30am at Smith & Kernke Funeral Home, 14624 N. May, Oklahoma City, OK 73134."Don't let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be where I am." - John 14: 1-3 NIV (Mom's favorite verse)The family asks that donations be made to the Dale Rogers Training Center, 2501 N. Utah Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73107, drtc.org; St. Jude's Hospital at st.jude.org or organization of your choice.