Rick Allen Spies, the son of Russell and Mildred (Vennink) Spies, was born November 16, 1964, in Carroll, and died January 14, 1998, from injuries received in an auto accident south of Carroll, at the age of 33 years, 1 month, and 28 days.

He was baptized and confirmed at the Zion Lutheran Church in Manning. Rick attended Gray Elementary School then graduated from the Audubon High School with the Class of 1984. He attended Northwest Missouri State University, graduating in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Business.

On June 4, 1988, he was united in marriage to Laura Goecke at the Zion Lutheran Church in Manning. Rick farmed near Gray and was employed at Wede's Feed Supply. In 1989 they purchased a farm near Kimballton which he operated and also helped his father farm near Gray. Rick has continued to farm and also was employed at Pella Corporation in Carroll for the past year.

He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Manning. He was a member of the Audubon Farm Bureau and was currently serving as vice-president. He was an Alumni member of the Audubon FFA. He was a member of the TKE Fraternity while attending college. Rick enjoyed snow skiing, golf, and playing slow-pitch softball.

Rick conquered adversity after a 1975 farm accident which led to a leg amputation. The accident and amputation gave Rick the determination to do everything in life at 110%. He was a loving and devoted father and husband. Rick will be missed by his family and his many friends.

Preceding him in death were his grandparents: Alfred and Margaret Spies; and Louis and Selma Vennink.

Survivors include his wife, Laura Spies of Audubon; his daughter, Brittany Spies of Audubon; his parents, Russell and Mildred Spies of Audubon; his brothers and sisters: Nancy and her husband Tom Macklin of Des Moines; Lorri and her husband Randy Felton of La Habra, California; Randy and his wife Lynn Spies of Audubon; and Rodney Spies of Des Moines; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Alan and his wife Kathy Goecke of Hiawatha, Iowa; Karla Goecke; Peg Goecke; Doug and his wife Toni Goecke all of Carroll; and Jim and his wife Kim Goecke of Audubon; his nieces and nephews: Spencer Macklin of Des Moines; Alyse Felton of La Habra; Ryan, Ashlyn, and Ranen Spies all of Audubon; Latress Pringle and Eddie Goecke; and Michael Goecke all of Carroll; Dustin and Brianna Goecke both of Audubon; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Melvin and Ann Goecke of Audubon; aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services will be conducted by Reverend Daniel Vogel on Saturday, January 17, 1998 at 10:30 A.M. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Manning. Interment will be in the Gray Cemetery west of Gray. The honorary casket bearers will be: Mike Bruch, Rod Hansen, Lony Haubrich, Larry Jo Hinners, Steve McCollum, Pat McCuen, Brett Nissen, Dave Tessman and Tom Vennink. The casket bearers will be Karl Albertsen, Jeff Deist, Kevin Rugaard, Mike Sheer, Brian Shoemaker, and Michael Wanninger. The family will meet friends Friday evening at 6:30 at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon.