Brent Rickert

Brent Rickert, 37, dedicated sports fan, music aficionado and Civil War history buff, died peacefully on Monday, September 29th surrounded by his family after a short illness.A celebration of Brents life will be held at 2:00 p.m.on Friday, October 10, 2014 at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel. Please wear your favorite Bison, Rustler or Griz gear. Wear Bobcat gear only if you want to be haunted every upcoming football season from here on out.Brent was born to John and Karen Rickert on January 26, 1977 in Great Falls. Though born with Down Syndrome and heart issues associated with that condition, it never stopped him from doing anything. Brent was active in Special Olympics, music and teasing his sisters as much as possible. He was a die-hard Griz sports fan and a dedicated Rustler. Brents educational needs could only be met at CMR and he immediately became loyally green and gold when he crossed the threshold. This despite the fact his childhood was spent in blue and white and his dad and sisters were Bison. This rivalry provided us with years of good-natured cross-town banter and he would even wear Bison gear (post-graduation, of course). Brent also loved 50s and 60s music and could not be beat at any music trivia game ever played.Brents dad, John, was a part of a softball team for more than 35 years and Brent was an integral part of the team. He managed the coin flips and bats and rarely missed a game. The team was much more than just getting together for a weekly game, they are our extended family. The players kids were raised together and maintain close friendships to this day. Brent was loved by all and will be greatly missed.John, Karen and Brent moved to Woodbury, Minn. in 2007 to be closer to family and grandchildren. Brent got involved in Special Olympics and earned his Minnesota residency by playing floor hockey. He resumed his duties on new softball teams in Woodbury and Roseville. Brent touched the lives of all who knew him in Minnesota just as he did in Montana.Brent is survived by his parents, John and Karen Rickert; sisters Heather (Mike ONeill) Kiedrowski, Molly (Mike) Paige, and Lauren (Mike) Hamilton; grandmother Joyce Williams; nieces Callie and Peyton Kiedrowski, Ashley and Kayla Anton; nephews Carson Kiedrowski and Joey (Courtney) Anton; aunts, uncles and cousins that were very special to Brent.Brent was preceded in death by his sister, Theresa Anton; grandparents Angie and Bart Shorty Rickert; grandfather Joe Williams; aunts, JoEllen Loch and Judy Williams; uncle Joe Menicucci; and cousins, Sara Loch and Meghan Williams.Memorials in Brents name are suggested to Special Olympics of Montana, c/o Rhonda McCarty, PO Box 3507, Great Falls, MT 59403 or the Warriors and Quiet Waters Foundation, 1087 Stoneridge Dr, Suite 1, Bozeman, MT 59718.