Ricky "Rick" Manges

Ricky “Rick” Manges, 71, passed away surrounded by his loving family on December 10, 2023 at UnityPoint Methodist Medical Center.

Rick was born on November 23, 1952, in Des Moines, Iowa to Everette “Gus” and Hyla (Fretta) Manges, Jr. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1971 and joined the U.S. Navy. He married Connie Richardson after boot camp in 1972. He was a corpsman in the Navy from 1973-1975 and then he attended Junior College in Modesto, California, and earned his Nursing degree. While living in Modesto he and Connie had two boys, Mark in 1976 and Jeremy in 1979. In 1981, they moved to Des Moines, Iowa, and lived on the southside. He worked at Iowa Methodist Hospital and then went to Bankers Life which is now Principal Financial Group and worked as a Nurse Healthcare Resource Specialist. Once the boys were on their own the couple transferred with Principal for one year to Nebraska, nine years to Arizona, and twelve years to Utah. He retired in 2016 and they moved to Arizona for three years, Florida for another three years, and then returned to Des Moines in 2022. While in Arizona he enjoyed golfing and played over 150 rounds of golf in three years. After retirement in Utah, he worked as a crossing guard and playground attendant. Once returning to Des Moines he worked at Des Moines Public Schools.

He loved anything sports. He coached his sons in Little League baseball and basketball and then started at Brody Middle School after his sons graduated where he coached the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams. He loved watching all sports, especially his two youngest grandchildren, and never missed an Iowa Hawkeyes game.

Rick is survived by his wife of 51 years, Connie Manges; sons, Mark (Mindy Ellis) Manges and Jeremy (Becky Blair) Manges; and grandchildren, Gage, Corbin, Braeden, and Lola Manges.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Mike Manges.

A visitation will be held at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street, Des Moines, Iowa on Friday, December 15, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Stead Family Children’s Hospital at the University of Iowa in loving memory of Rick.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Last but not least aside from Rick telling his family that he loved them, he would want his last words to be…. GO HAWKS!

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