Kermit H. Riekenberg

Kermit H. Riekenberg, 84, of Hanover, Kansas, passed away peacefully on June 4, 2026, at Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan, Kansas.

Kermit was born on November 18, 1941, the youngest son of Alphons and Clara Riekenberg. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bremen, Kansas. He attended grade school locally and graduated from Hanover High School.

After high school, Kermit worked driving a route truck, picking up cream and eggs. In August of 1964, at the age of 22, he purchased the old Smitty’s Café and proudly renamed it Ricky’s Café. Shortly after purchasing the restaurant, Kermit was drafted into the Vietnam War, where he served for a year and a half. Upon returning home, he resumed running the café.

For more than 60 years, “Kermy” was the heart and soul of his hometown café—cooking breakfast, waiting tables, and flipping burgers while building lasting friendships with generations of loyal customers.

Kermy was proud to employ many local residents over the years. His employees, many of whom worked with him for decades, became like family and were truly the heart and soul behind the café’s enduring success and welcoming atmosphere.

On September 24, 1967, he married Rose Brown, who preceded him in death in 2009. To this union, Kermit was blessed with three children: John and James, who also preceded him in death, and Pamela, who survives.

Outside of the café, Kermy was a well-known pitcher for the local men’s fast-pitch softball team. He also enjoyed spending time cruising with his beloved dogs, Pierre and Prince, who preceded him in death.

Kermit was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Rose; his infant son, James; his son, John; his brothers; Milton, DeVere (and sister-in-law Verna), and his sister, Geraldine (and brother-in-law Merlin Stohs).

He is survived by his daughter, Pamela and husband Fred Bergman; his daughter-in-law, Cheri Flear, and her partner, Ron Luhring; grandchildren; Jamie (Mark) Vande Brake, Jenifer Davenport, Derek Flear, Amanda (Kacy) Tibbetts, Brandon (Morgan) Flear, and Jason Flear. Great-grandchildren; Alex, Jacob, Beckham, Briar, Amiya, Gabe, Paisley, Keegan, Logan, John, and Blake. Along with many nieces, nephews, countless friends, employees, and loyal patrons of the café.

A visitation will be held on Friday June 19, 2026, at the Hanover Mortuary in Hanover, Kansas from 1:00 until 8:00p.m., with the family greeting friends from 5:30 until 7:00 p.m at the funeral home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday June 20, 2026, at the Hanover Community Building in Hanover, with Rev. Norbert Tegtmeier officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in the Hanover City Cemetery in Hanover.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in memory of Kermy are suggested to the Hanover Hospital ISB or the Hanover American Legion Post 306. Contributions may be sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.

Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfunerahome.com