Roberta Jo “Bobbie” Rickel passed away on October 20, 2015, with her husband by her side at home in Tonasket. She was born October 30, 1939 in Breeze Basin, Colorado to Donald VanClief Cooper and Josephine May Lewis Cooper.

She spent the first part of her adult life raising a family, living in various parts of the country from Colorado, Bellingham, Alaska and Maine then to Tonasket where she met and married I.V. Joe Rickel, her husband of 27 years. They made their home on the ranch above Tonasket, she loved ranch life, raising chickens, milking her cow and working in her garden. Bobbies hands were never idle, she was always embroidering, crocheting, or knitting and made most all of her gifts. Bobbie had a big heart, kind soul and gentle nature, and will be greatly missed by those she leaves behind.

She was a wonderful cook, many enjoyed her meals, she worked at: Romars Restaurant, the Round-up cafe and in the kitchen at North Valley Hospital.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Butch Cooper, Blake Hall and granddaughter Theresa Fancher.

She is survived by her Husband I.V. Joe Rickel at home, her daughter Debbie Jones of Tonasket, her son Bill Sluys of Denver Colo., step-daughters Pam Fancher of Tonasket and Tenise Kessler of Connell, step-son Kenneth Rickel of Cheney, nine grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Memorial service will be on Monday November 2, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. at Bergh’s Chapel, 801 Main St., Oroville Wash. with Pastor Leon Alden, officiating.

Bergh Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.