Ricky “Rick” Fonken, age 63, of Lake City, IA, passed away on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at UnityPoint-Health Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines, IA. Ricky Richard Fonken was born on March 21, 1962, to parents Richard and Bertha Marie (Peterson) Fonken at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Carroll, IA. He was baptized on May 6, 1962, and confirmed into his faith on April 25, 1976. He grew up in Glidden and Lake City, where he attended grade school and graduated from Lake City High School. After graduation, Rick continued his education at Iowa Central Community College, earning a degree in Elevator and Farm Supply Management along with Agronomy.
Rick worked as an agronomist for Landus. He worked at many of the FC(Farmers CO-OP) sites, including Farnhamville, Gowrie, and Lohrville. Finishing his career at the Lytton and Yetter facilities as a Salesman and Agronomist. He retired in 2023 after 43 years of service, including the transition to Landus. Rick loved being out among the fields and visiting with his farming customers. Many of those farmers became some of his greatest friends. He went above and beyond to ensure his customers were happy. Rick enjoyed fishing, collecting guns, and driving his prize 1962 Pontiac Grand Prix and 1981 Pontiac TransAm. He spent time with his 2 Buckskin Quarter Horses, Dally and Jackie. Always in the spring, he awaited the arrival of the new colts they may have. Another favorite pastime of Ricks was the slot machines at any casino, which he frequented with his best friend Art Daisy, his sister Holly, and brother-in-law Chris. Most recently, he’d been mentoring Blake, his nephew, as he began his farming journey. You could find him driving the country roads, checking all his customers’ fields. He will be dearly missed by so many family and friends who knew and loved him.
Those left to cherish his memory include his mother Marie Fonken of Lake City, IA; siblings: Barb Fonken of Denison, IA, Rhonda (Bruce) Riddler of Mt. Caramel, IA, Jim (Pat) Fonken of Lake City, IA, Joe (Rosa) Fonken of Northwold, England, Holly (Chris) Brotherson of Wall Lake, IA; Nieces and Nephews: Jonathan Krula, Melissa (Nate) Thompson, Kaitlynne Schwarzkopf, Bryan (Mary) Sloth, Kevin (Krista) Sloth, Dawn (Eric) Murphy, Justin Ridder, Brittany (Brian) Woodke, Blake (Tara) Fonken, Logan (Abby) Fonken, Cristina (Chris) White, Thomas Fonken, Ty Brotherson, Cauy Brotherson; nine great nieces and nephews.
Rick was preceded in death by his father, Richard Fonken, and nephew, Ryan Sloth
The Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 19th, 2025. Visitation will be 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., Thursday, September 18th, 2025, at the Lampe and Powers Funeral Home in Lake City, IA. Burial will take place in the Merle Hay Cemetery in Glidden, IA.
