October 11, 2025 – Barton, Wi – One of the matriarchs of the Barton area died earlier this month. Rhea Dricken, 97, was remembered for her spark, elegance, and commitment to her faith and family during a service at St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception Church in West Bend, WI. Below is a eulogy presented by her brother John Gadow.
I’ve been asked to share a few thoughts with you today as we honor the memory of a wonderful woman my sister Rhea. Her suffering is now over, and we gather today to celebrate her remarkable life.
Rhea was a shining light in my entire life, even as a young boy, I knew I could look to her for comfort and advice, and her talents lent a special flavor to our family life her outstanding musical abilities were legendary.
Listening to her play complicated pieces from memory on the family piano was inspiring. One of my finest memories is listening to Rhea and our sister Kitty sing a duet during Christmas midnight Mass.
Kitty and Rhea complimented each other beautifully. Kitty was the vibrant energetic one and Rhea was the thoughtful and cautious one. I’ll leave out the details behind that statement.
Rhea was a true Barton Girl except for the time she spent at college. I don’t think she ever resided more than one-and-a-half miles from her birthplace. She carried those small-town, values and attitudes with her always, and she delighted in the family.
She built with the love of her life Lenny Dricken. One of Rhea‘s greatest talents was her ability to connect with people on a personal basis and to emphasize with their hopes, dreams and fears.
I’ve thought a lot about how to characterize Rhea and I think the best way to summarize her life is as a teacher. She earned a degree in elementary education, the first college graduate of our family and a point of pride for our parents.
She was a licensed teacher in kindergarten and first grade at the Barton Elementary School. But she was a teacher in so many other ways. By her attitude and conduct, she radiated an aura of quiet confidence and a willingness to help which put people at ease in difficult situations.
I know I leaned on her shoulder during several difficult periods in my life, and my kids love knowing that their aunt Rhea was a caring personality in their lives.
Rhea could logically be credited with rescuing the US Postal Service from bankruptcy. Her greeting cards written in her beautiful handwriting reliably arrived for every birthday anniversary and holiday.
One particular poignant memory was the birthday card which arrived in England for my British granddaughter’s sixth birthday. It contained three American $2 bills, a real conversation piece in London and a clever lesson and arithmetic for a six-year-old.
That was a sweet and innovative gesture that has remembered to this day. By the way, her beautiful penmanship must’ve been some genetic mutation because Rhea had the most beautiful handwriting of our generation.
Kitty and I were tied for last.
Rhea was a person who did not judge people by their beliefs or actions. She simply radiated a quiet confidence which envelope you and assured you she would help in any way she could. And along the way she would share bits of wisdom which quietly challenged our thought processes.
So, with Rhea as a teacher, we can all be students. We can incorporate her memory into our daily discourse and embrace the good in every person rather than highlighting their faults. This is the best way to honor a truly wonderful and caring woman.
Thank you, Rhea for making this world a much better place and setting an example for us. We’ll try to be our best to honor your memory by loving each other. Rest in peace until we meet again.
Click HERE for the full obituary.
Barton gal Mary Moll also chimed in with some memories.
Shirley Duenkel: Rhea was the best dressed woman for her age…….Lenny never like women in pants You always saw her in a dress or a pretty blouse and skirt.
Her nephew, Steve Gadow is 30 years younger than Rhea. They share the same August 5th birthday. He remembers when Lenny and Rhea came over to Madison with Lenny’s Cadillac.
Steve had just turned 16 and got his driver’s license. He asked his dad, John Gadow – Rhea’s brother if he could drive the family car. When he was backing out of the driveway he hit Lenny’s Cadillac….Steve was in shock and went to the back yard trying to keep from crying and was humiliated……when Rhea came back to him and gave him a hug and said”no one got hurt, it is only metal!
Rhea was a great lady..She had a beautiful alto singing voice….. When you get to that age you do not have many soul mates..but two ladies from the area,were there, including Pat Groh -94 and Betty Homuth also in her 90’s..
