Joseph L. Rickett
Joseph L Rickett of Missoula, Mt. passed away December 9th. 2012 in Thermopolis Co., Wyoming, thus ending a 65 year career in the logging industry. He had worked in Wyoming for the past 2 1/2 years.
Joe was born in Sidney, Mt. January 25th, 1932. When he was 3 months old, his parents and sister ventured through winter snow storms to Lewiston, Idaho area. He graduated from Kooskia High school. From the time he was 14 or 15 he worked weekends and summers in the woods. Always loving the mountains to hike, Lakes and Rivers to fish. Many weekends found he and relatives doing just that. He never tired of working and recreating in the woods.
Joe married Loretta Hill and from that union were born Ron and DeeAnna. They were divorced and he later married Barbara Lycan. She had 2 children, Carol (DeeDee) and Donald (Radar). To Joe and Barbara Jeannine was born.
Joe moved his family to Superior in 1962, where he worked as a sawyer for different logging companies until he and Norman Vaughan created VARCO Logging Co. in the early 70’s.
Joe wore many hats. Husband, father, grandfather, great and great great grandfather and friend. He was President of Montana Loggers Assoc., Chairman of the Superior School Board for nearly 10 years. He also played basketball on Superior’s town team in his middle 50’s. But, his family always came first. He taught his children honesty, hard work, responsibility and to stand up for what was right.
In 1995 Joe began working as a diesel mechanic for Bill Jones of Jones Equipment. A few years later he was mechanic for Joe Fraser’s Salmon River Wood. Joe was happiest when he was greasy from head to foot.
In late 1994 Joe and Wanda Sverdsten were married. Surviving Joe is his wife Wanda, his children DeeAnna (George), Carol, Donald (Karen), and Jeannine (Larry). His son Ron preceeded him in death, and he recently lost a granddaughter, Gerri Lynn Goldsby. Grandchildren, 13. Great grandchildren 23, and one great great granddaughter. Also surviving him are his stepson’s Mark and Eric (Crystal) Sverdsten, step daughters, Nina Sverdsten & Rika Botzet.
Memorial services will be mid May of 2013, in Superior. A later date will be announced. Anyone wanting to make a donation in Joe’s name to the following, would be greatly appreciated The Joe Rickett Memorial Scholarship Fund, Superior High School, Superior, Mt. 59872....... Steven Cyr Scholarship Fund, Frenchtown High School, Frenchtown, Mt. 59834. And the Watsons Childrens Shelter
2901 Fort Missoula Rd., Missoula, Mt. 59804.