Kathy Ricks

Kathryn Elizabeth Wahl Davies Ricks, 76, of Plano, Idaho, passed away peacefully from blood cancer.

Kathy was born on June 23, 1949, in Rexburg, Idaho, to Arthur Frederick Wahl and Nellie Laurine Lester. Kathy grew up in a home where love and hard work were a constant in their lives. She graduated from Sugar-Salem High School and attended two years at Idaho State University.

Kathy married Richard Dee Davies on June 20, 1969, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. They were blessed with four wonderful children, Dan, Doug, Debbie and Dustin. Dee passed away from liver/colon cancer January 18, 1996.

Their home was in Plano, Idaho, until the summer of 1974 they moved to Monteview, Idaho, where they farmed and ranched with some of Dee’s cousins. Later they lived in Terreton, Idaho, for a short time and Rexburg. They built their home in Plano in 1978. Dee enjoyed riding motorcycles on the dunes with friends from Hibbard. One of them was Craig Ricks.

Kathy worked at Bank of Commerce, later Valley Bank as a trust secretary and loan secretary.

She was taken hostage in a bank robbery. She quit work when Dan was born and they moved to Monteview.

They were part owner and manager of Dee’s Country Market in Rexburg for several years. The entire family worked cleaning, keeping books, stocking shelves, cashiering, etc.

The family worked together on the farm in Plano growing hay, grain and potatoes. Moving sprinkler pipe and cleaning up tree lines. Work was a given.

Kathy married Gary Craig Ricks on August 15, 1998, for time in the Idaho Falls Temple. She inherited ten more children, Wendy, Brett, Vaun, Sandy, Donald, Kamilynn, Aaron, Damon, Christopher and LeAnna.

The couple enjoyed traveling back East to visit family. Participating in activities of children and grandchildren was a source of great joy.

Craig passed away February 6, 2024. Her children and grandchildren have been a beautiful blessing of love and caring. Kathy enjoyed any time spent with family and friends. She carried on the blessing of meeting with friends for game/dinner nights. She enjoyed making quilts for family members, and sharing bouquets of flowers from her garden.

Kathy joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when she was 18 years old and served as an active member throughout her life. She served in Young Women’s presidency, Relief Society Presidency, Primary President, ministering sister, primary teacher, Gospel Doctrine teacher, and her favorite was serving as a nursery leader. She also served as activity day leader for girls and scout leader for the boys.

Kathy is survived by; 14 children, Dan (Melanie) Davies of Rexburg, ID; Doug (Audrey) Davies of Egin, ID; Debbie (Steve) Larsen of Blackfoot, ID; Dustin (Janae) Davies of Idaho Falls, ID. Wendy (Jason) Parker of Greenville, South Carolina; Brett (Amy) Ricks of Spanish Fork, UT; Vaun (Stephanie) Ricks of Atlanta, Georgia; Sandy Galdamez of Greenville, South Carolina; Don (Natia) Young of El Paso, TX; Kami Wanstrom of Lewiston, ID; Aaron (Ellie) Young of Alabama; Damon (Dianna) Loosli of Boise, ID; Chris (Jessica) Loosli of Pocatello, ID; LeAnna (Alex) Rhodes of Rose, ID.

She is survived by 62 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by 3 sisters, Faye (Grand) Leavitt, Renee (Gerald) Quick, Patricia (John) Davis; one brother, James Wahl; six sister-in-laws, Maureen Seegmiller; Karen Pincock; Patsy (Garth) Harker; Lynette Miller, Dorothy Ann Ricks, and Judy Ricks.

She is Preceded in death by her first husband, Richard Dee Davies, her parents, two sisters, Marilyn Nelson and Vadene Wahl, two brothers Zane Wahl and Frederick Wahl, second husband, Gary Craig Ricks, brother-in-laws, Bruce Ricks, Kimber Ricks, Cecil Ricks, Dennis Seegmiller, Glade Pincock, Marvin Miller, sister-in-laws Peggy Ricks, Marla Ricks, and a grandson, Richard Michael Davies.

We would love to express our gratitude to our wonderful nurse Lauren. Kathy loved you and she could feel your love for her every visit and through every beautiful song you sang for her.

Funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the Plano Church at 11:00 am. Viewing will be held on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg from 5:30 – 7:00 pm and prior to the service from 10:00 – 10:45 am.