Richard Kenneth Sowers

Richard "Ric" Sowers age 73 of Fredericksburg, IA, died Wednesday, November 24, 2021, at his home. Per Ric’s request, no formal services will be held. Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in Fredericksburg has been entrusted to help the family during this time. Ric was born on Aug. 13, 1948, to Douglas and Marian (Jeffries) Sowers in Sumner, and he was the third of the couple’s eight children. Ric grew up on farms in the Frederika, Fredericksburg, and Sumner areas, and he received his education both at country schools and in Fredericksburg. After high school, he worked several jobs before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps in October 1966, and Ric served his country for four years, rising to the rank of sergeant. Ric was a jet engine mechanic and served a tour of duty in Vietnam and was based at Chu Lai. Although he rarely talked about his Marine days, Ric was proud of the service he gave his country and he received a number of service medals. After receiving his honorable discharge, Ric returned to Iowa and put his mechanical skills to good use for several employers, including Sara Lee and Omega Cabinets, as well as for the company he started and ran for a few years, Sowers Electric. It was at Sara Lee, though, where he met the love of his life Marlene Junker, who fell in love with Ric’s smile and his kindness and caring. The two were married on June 11, 1976, and made their home in Fredericksburg, where they raised their son, Matt. Ric loved being a father, and the bond between father and son was especially strong in the outdoors as Ric and Matt loved fishing and hunting together. Matt’s dad was also a talented artist who loved to carve — wood or stone — and painting. Ric’s greatest attribute as a father was that he understood that there was no better gift he could give his son than his time. Ric was a chuckwagon racer for a number of years, he loved his fishing trips to Lake Miltona near Alexandria, Minnesota, and was a member of the Fredericksburg AMVETS Post 90 Club, Fredericksburg Sportsman’s Club, and Hillcrest Baptist and Brethren Church. He also enjoyed his Tuesday morning coffee group and was always up for a Hawkeye or a Cyclone football game. At his core, though, he was a family man. He dearly loved his wife of 45 years, his son, and his granddaughter, Mara, who was the light of his life. Ric loved being a grandfather and it was always a good day when Mara and Ric were together. Ric loved his siblings and was a fantastic uncle to his many nieces and nephews. He had many talents — he could fix anything — but what made Ric so special was the fact that he had such a big, caring heart, was the best listener, and had a great sense of humor. He will be dearly missed by all those who loved and knew him. Ric is survived by his wife, Marlene Sowers of Fredericksburg; his son, Matthew (Melissa) Sowers of Burnsville, Minnesota; his granddaughter, Mara; two brothers, Jeff (Marlys) Sowers of Milo, and Ken (Barb) Sowers of Fredericksburg; five sisters, Sue Orth of Plainfield, Melinda Daggett of Conrad, Merijo (Dale) Boevers of Farley; Kelly (Scott) Diser of Rochester, Minnesota, and Kristen (Mark) Christensen of Saratoga; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers-in-law, Romaine Orth & Don Daggett.