Ricky (Rick) Laurance Meinders passed away Friday April 17th, at home
from a courageous and valiant battle from ALS. He was born on September
10, 1951, in Belmond, IA. To Adolph and Rose Meinders, he was the 2nd of
6 children, of which he was the oldest son. Rick grew up on a farm in
Clarion, IA, there was always a lot of work to be done. At 11 yrs old he
was already driving tractors, feeding cattle and hogs. He attended
school in Clarion, graduating in 1969. After 2 concussions he was not
allowed to play football anymore so he joined the wrestling team. He
only won one match that year but learned a lot. He did much better as a
Senior. Before graduation he worked as a welder at a manufacturing
plant. When he found out Iowa Central Junior College in Eagle Grove was
starting a wrestling team program, he thought that would be a great
opportunity. Both years at Eagle Grove he pinned every dual meet
opponent. He earned a scholarship to Utah State University for
Wrestling. He won the Outstanding Wrestler of the Year Award all 3
years. He only lost one dual meet match his Senior year. He was
nominated as USU’s Athlete of the year. He worked part time at a car
dealership while attending college, while working for a Bachelor’s
degree in Automotive Technology, he served a term as President of the
Student Branch of Society of Automotive Engineers. He worked as mechanic
for 4 years at Palmer’s GM Dealership and one year as the body shop
manager. He worked for State Farm Insurance as an automotive damage
estimator and did that for several years. He then moved to Caldwell, ID
and worked as a service manger for 9 yrs at a GM Dealership, he then
returned to Logan, UT to be service manager at Palmer’s. He at times had
the highest service customer satisfaction with Buick in Norther Utah
District. Rick served on the Western district Buick service advisory
counsel and on Bridgerland Auto Tech advisory committee. Rick loved
working and modifying cars and on his Firebirds and Trans Am. Rick also
helped build and run electrical wiring in his new house in Smithfield,
he finished the basement for extra room for the kids. Rick loved working
with wood and making furniture. In 2011 his spinal back problems kept
him from working, having 12 back and neck surgeries. Rick joined The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the fall of 1972. He
enjoyed his callings as Executive Secretary, Primary Teacher, Gospel
Doctrine and Gospel Essential teacher, and served as a Stake Missionary
and in other callings. He met his beautiful wife, Margie Comish in the
fall of 1977. They were later married in the spring of 1978. They had 3
children: Lindsay, Michelle and Bryce. He enjoyed very much going to
their school and athletic events. He is proceeded in death by his
daughter: Lindsay, Father – Adolph, Mother – Rose, Brothers – Robert and
Dean Meinders. Surviving are his wife Margie (New Plymouth, ID ),
Michelle (Josh) Williams, and Bryce (Julianna) Meinders (Layton, UT), 7
Grandsons, and 1 Granddaughter. Brother – Ardell Meinders, and Sisters
– Thea Chambers, LeeAnn Hubbard. A Special Thanks to Horizon Hospice –
Denise and Justine.