Rick Byron Cordes II

Richard Byron Cordes II

Rick Cordes, 56, passed away peacefully in Des Moines on Monday, May 29, 2017, surrounded by loving family and friends, after a heroic 7 year battle with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Rick was born on September 6th, 1960 in Havana, Illinois to Dick and Bobbe Cordes. He graduated from Odebolt-Arthur High School in 1978, and became a member of the Phi Delta Theta while attending the University of South Dakota. He worked for PepsiCo for over 30 years, working his way up from a route driver to manager positions in sales, marketing, and operations. Rick took great pride in his work at Pepsi. His integrity, loyalty and positive attitude won him many lifelong friendships that he treasured with people in all channels of the industry. Rick and his wife, Paula, were strong supporters of the FLEX (Future Leaders Exchange) program and opened their home and hearts to young people from many countries as well as mentoring youth. Rick was passionate about his hunting and fishing, and well known for organizing yearly fly-in trips to Canada after Walleye and Northern Pike. He also enjoyed gardening, Pittsburg Steelers and attending the sporting events of his friend’s children. He loved his cats and playing Texas Hold’em at Prairie Meadows. Rick enjoyed life to the fullest and his loss will be felt by many.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 23 years, Paula; his mother, Bobbe Cordes of Odebolt; sister Michelle (Joe) Cordes of New Jersey; honorary daughter, Mavluda; father –in-law, Paul Berkemann of Norwalk, his exchange children and other loving family & close friends. He was preceded in death by his father, grandparents, mother-in-law and his beloved German Shorthair Pointers, Max & Beau.
A Celebration of his life will be held from 5:30pm – 8:00pm on Sunday, July 2, 2017 at the Science Center of Iowa, 401 W Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, Des Moines. Feel free to wear Pepsi logo in honor of Rick.

The Cordes Family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Robert Behrens, Tracy Sarin ARNP, Nurse Lisa, all the staff on Powell 3 at IMMC and Mayo Clinic for their excellent care and compassion to Rick and his family over the years.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial gifts be designated for Cancer Research at Mayo Clinic at www.mayoclinic.org, Animal Rescue League of Iowa or the Gift of Life Transplant House in Rochester, MN in his name.

Condolences are welcome at: www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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