Obit: Birkett, Ricky W. “Rick” (1959 - 2022)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Birkett, Denk Buettner, Abel, Palange, Bier

----Source: Cuddie Funeral Home (Greenwood, Clark Co., WI) 1/07/2023

Birkett, Ricky W. “Rick” (3 May 1959 – 29 December 2022)

Ricky W. “Rick” Birkett, age 63, of Greenwood, died unexpectedly on Thursday, December 29, 2022, at his mother’s home in Greenwood.

Ricky Wayne Birkett was born May 3, 1959, in Milwaukee. He was adopted by Wayne and Verna Birkett as an infant. Rick’s family moved to Greenwood when he was eight years old, where he attended Greenwood Public Schools and graduated from Greenwood High School in May of 1977. Rick was a great 3-sport athlete all through high school. Rick continued to play baseball and softball every ball season.

He married his first wife, Cindy Denk on October 15, 1981. They had two daughters. They later divorced. Rick worked mostly at Greenwood Milk Products Co-op and later Weathershield in Greenwood. In 2005, Rick moved to North Haven, CT where he married his second wife, Susan Palange. Rick survived a traumatic car accident on November 16, 2009, and was hospitalized for 2 years. He fought through the next 13 years with various health obstacles. Rick resided in Connecticut until his wife Susan, died unexpectedly on January 26, 2020. Rick moved back to Greenwood on May 7, 2020, and resided with his mother. Rick was an avid Brewers, Packers and Badgers fan.

He is survived by his mother, Verna Birkett of Greenwood, two daughters: Brittan (Joe) Buettner of Cottage Grove, and Elyse Birkett of Madison; three grandchildren: Roman, Noelle, and Naomi Buettner; his sister: Darla (Scott) Abel of Greenwood; and many more extended family members. He was preceded in death by his second wife, Susan Palange, and his father, Wayne Birkett.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Greenwood. Rev. Elizabeth Bier will officiate, and a private burial for the family will follow in the Greenwood City Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church, on Saturday, from 11:30 a.m. until time of service.