Richard "Ricky" Herken, Jr.

Richard “Ricky” Franklin Herken, Jr., age 45, of La Farge, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, June 26, leaving behind a legacy of pure love and happiness. Blessed with a big heart, Ricky was a bright light to all who knew him – a constant champion of the underdog, an adventurer with stellar dance moves, and a lover of all.

The youngest of seven kids, Ricky was born on June 30, 1977, in San Angelo, Texas, to Paula (Gabrielson) and Richard Herken. They moved back home to La Farge in 1979, where Ricky and his friends and siblings lived a “magical 80’s childhood.” He lived next door to his best friend and was part of a tight-knit group of friends who were well-known around town. They loved to ride their bikes through La Farge and swim in the Herken pool.

Ricky was imaginative and adventurous. He loved art and baseball, and he graduated from La Farge High School in 1996. He briefly studied art at UW-Stout before getting his pipefitting certificate and setting off on his next big adventure, working on the pipelines in Alaska, splitting three weeks at a time between there and home.

Ricky met the love of his life, Amber (Miller), in 2011, at a party. After asking around for her name, he messaged her on Facebook. A few months later, Amber finally saw the message and they decided to have dinner. He showed up with a box of produce and salmon, and she made him dig potatoes out of the garden for their first meal together. The next two weeks were a blur, hardly leaving each other’s side as they fell in love.

Amber would drive Ricky to the airport for his commute to Alaska. The days she saw his plane land back home again were the best. One day, the pair let the plane fly away without him. He decided he’d stay home for good.

They married on October 20, 2012, at their “Forever Ridge,” the ridgetop they called home in La Farge where they built a house, gardened, hosted friends and family, and raised their beloved animals.

Ricky was many things: an artist, an animal lover, a handyman, and the first one on a dance floor. He was proud of La Farge and his heritage, and he cherished coffee in the morning with his mom. He loved canoeing on the Kickapoo River, camping, music and painting. He loved the Green Bay Packers, especially when he was hosting his family to watch a game. He enjoyed getting dressed up to go dancing. He and Amber loved to travel, road tripping to San Francisco, not knowing which tent they’d stay at next, or just taking a drive to their favorite spot on the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. He loved all beings – from insects and birds to a stranger on the street who he could quickly befriend. He held social justice issues close to his heart and always believed in the little guy. He was witty, always there to greet you with a warm hug and a smile, and always ready for the next adventure.

But most importantly, Ricky was a compassionate friend who would drop anything to help someone – sharing his Garbage Pail Kids playing cards with his enemy or camping out in his sister’s backyard after she lost her son, just in case she needed him. He was an incredibly loving, proud, and fun uncle. He was the best little brother, who – despite being the youngest – was an old soul who his siblings often turned to for advice and wisdom. He was a devoted and loving husband, who adored his life on the ridge with Amber so immensely. He loved and felt deeply. He was “the best of us.”

The day before he passed, Ricky was amazed by a double rainbow that had appeared on the ridge after a much-needed summer rain. He snapped a photo of it and sent it to his family and friends, sharing his love like he always did.

Ricky is survived by his wife, Amber and their pack of dogs: Hope, Minni Mouse, Pancho “Boogie,” and Gema. He is also survived by his siblings, who he loved dearly: Cindy (Jeff) Campbell, Blake (Amy) Herken, Jenny (Brad) Parker, Corri (Rich) Fisk, Richelle (Eric) Zimmerman, and RJ (Tanya) Herken; brothers-in-law, Mitch (Jennifer) Miller and Jammie (Jennifer) Miller; and many beloved nieces and nephews and close friends.

He is preceded in death by his cherished parents, Richard and Paula Herken; beloved nephew, Jesse Parker; sister-in-law, Amy Herken; and close friends, Jon Steinmetz and Cassidy Parker.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at Kickapoo Valley Reserve Visitor Center, S3661 WI-131, La Farge, WI. A visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service with a light lunch to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated for the “Ricky Herken Memorial Fund” with proceeds to benefit environmental and social justice causes.

Vosseteig Funeral Home & Crematory in La Farge is serving Ricky's family.

203 N. State Street

La Farge, WI 54639

(608) 625-4244