Mark Alan Ricken

Mark Alan Ricken, 64, of Centennial, Colorado and former La Junta, Colorado resident passed from this life at the Porter Hospice Center in Centennial, Colorado on April 14th, 2014. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 22nd at 10am at Our Lady of Guadalupe/ St. Patrick Parish in La Junta, Colorado with Bishop David Ricken of Green Bay, Wisconsin officiating. The Vigil Service and Rosary will be held at 7pm on Monday, April 21st, 2014 at Peacock Memorial Chapel. Internment will take place at Calvary Cemetery immediately following the Mass.

Mark Ricken was born In Dodge City, Kansas on January 25, 1950 of G.W. "Bill " Ricken and Bertha Fern Davis Ricken and was married to Linda Rader of Las Animas on July 7th, 1984.

He grew up in Dodge City, Kansas and was educated at Sacred Heart Cathedral School in Dodge City, Kansas, Windthorst High School, Windthorst, Kansas and Kansas Newman College in Wichita, Kansas (Bachelor of Education), Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia (Master of Education), Western State University Gunnison, Colorado (Superintendent Endorsement), and University of Colorado (Education Specialist) in May of 2000.

He taught social studies in Atlanta, Georgia and became Principal of Las Animas High School in Las Animas, Co from 1977-1984 and the Superintendent of Schools in Branson, Co. from 1984-1987. He assumed Superintendent responsibilities of the newly formed Arriba- Flagler Consolidated School District in Flagler, Co from 1987-2006.

Mark is well known in the communities where he lived. He was always very active in the Catholic parishes, serving in various Church ministries. He volunteered his leadership talents in service to various public entities: Boy Scout Leader and Chaplain in High Plains District, Centennial Mental Health Association, Southeast Colorado Mental Health Association including Board President, Volunteer Emergency Services Flagler and the Diocese of Pueblo Finance Council.

He served as the president of the Alumni Association of his alma mater, Kansas Newman College, Colorado Association of School Executives, Colorado Association of Rural Educators, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and volunteer at Channel 8 Public Television in Pueblo, Co.

He is survived by his wife, Linda, two daughters, Lori Ruth of Castle Rock, Leslie (Bert)

Branson of Fayetteville, Georgia; son, Christian Ricken of Centennial, by his brother Bishop David Ricken and his sister Carol Ricken of Green Bay, by his grandchildren, Brittany, Luke, Sydney, and Samuel Alan and Aunt Doris Ricken-Rizzuto, Uncles Joseph (Ruth) Ricken, and Lee (Kay) Ricken, Aunts Madonna Ricken, Tommie Lou Ricken, Fern Ricken, Jerre Ricken and numerous cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Ricken Family Endowed Scholarship Fund of Newman University in Wichita, Kansas or the Plains Education Foundation Scholarship Fund in Flagler, Colorado.

                    Mark had a great devotion to the Divine Mercy of Jesus. “JESUS I TRUST IN YOU.”

Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.