Betty Ann Ricks

Betty Ann Ricks, 98, of Kokomo, died peacefully at Bloom Assisted Living, Kokomo, IN, surrounded by her family on Monday, August 10, 2026. Born one of 8, in Covington, IN on January 13, 1928 to the late Clyde and Dora Stoup. Betty loved school and graduated from Perrysville High School in 1945. On June 1, 1946, she married the love of her life, Robert F. Ricks, in Lafayette, IN. They shared more than five decades of marriage until Robert’s passing on February 10, 1999.

Betty was a dedicated sales manager and clerk at L.S. Ayres Department Store in Lafaytette where she worked for 16 years before retiring in 1985. Following her retirement, she continued working alongside her son at Tolin Hi-Performance in Kokomo. Betty was a longtime member of St. Patrick’s Church in Kokomo and was a former member of St. Mary’s Cathedral, in Lafayette, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Auxiliary, and the Wabash Valley Garden Club. She had a deep love for gardening, flowers, natures creatures and spending time outdoors. A true traveler, Betty visited all 50 states and traveled to numerous other countries, creating memories and stories along the way. She was known for her quick wit, being a little onery at times, had a spunky personality, and a real zest for life. Her memory of things, planning and note keeping were impeccable. Betty was also a devoted Purdue basketball fan and never missed an opportunity to cheer on the Boilermakers.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Janet Ricks; sons Robert “Tony” (Linda) Ricks and Joseph (Susie) Ricks; grand-kids, Kim (Tom) Mashino, Kevin (Jordan) Ricks, Dan Ricks, Lisa (John) Pilatz; great-grandkids, Jude, Liam, Cohen, Hudson, Paxton, Silas, Madden, Oliver, Ethan Ricks; Owen and Ella Mashino; Jackson and Carson Ricks; great-great grandson, Bohde Mashino; and a special niece, Bobbye (Clay) Gerling. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband; siblings, Herman Stoup, Louis “Gene” Stoup, Theodore “Jack” Stoup, Clyde “Russell” Stoup, Marguerite Mycroft, Eileen Stoup, Deloris Ellmore.

A visitation will be held in Kokomo at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on Wednesday, August 19 starting at 10:30 AM, with Rosary at 11:00 AM, and The Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 AM in Kokomo, IN. Burial will follow at St. Boniface Cemetery in Lafayette, IN. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Kim Mashino and will be used to treat the Sisters of the Poor Clares in Kokomo to a Fish Fry meal, something that Betty has been doing for years and brought her great joy.

The family would like to extend a huge thanks to Betty’s care team. Dr. Ryan Trauring, Dr. Annette Moore and Nurses, Ascension Kokomo Heart Care, Bloom Assisted Living Staff, her special QMA’s there who assisted her in daily life, and Paradigm Health, RN’s Angie and Tracy, who cared for her and us as a family, in her last days.

Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home of Lafayette is honored to serve the Ricks family. Please leave memories and condolences at hahngroeberfuneralhome.com