Rickey Spring

Rickey Laurel Spring, 64, of Hackensack, MN, beloved son, husband, father, and brother, passed away on Monday, June 2, at St. Cloud Hospital due to complications of heart failure.

Rick was born in Wabasha, MN, on April 29, 1950, to Laurel and Evelyn (LaRocque) Spring. He graduated from Elgin-Millville High School in 1968. He married Jean Marie Lynch on May 25, 1968, and the two made their home in Rochester, MN. Rick worked at Clements Chevrolet as an auto mechanic from 1968 through 1976 when he moved his family to the lake cabin on Blackwater Lake near Longville, MN. He worked as a mechanic in Longville while he went to school for taxidermy. He started his taxidermy business in 1978 and in 1981 moved his business and home to Hackensack, MN.

He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing, hunting, and watching wildlife. He was a World War II history buff and also enjoyed collecting unique items found at rummage sales. Rick loved to tinker in his garage and shop. In his youth, he enjoyed working in the pit crew on drag racing cars. He was a self-taught artist and used this gift to produce trophy works of art for his customers.

Rick is survived by his wife of 46 years, Jean; two children, Deanna (Charles) Constans of Eyota, and Jennifer (Butch) Pearson of Pequot Lakes; his mother, Evelyn Spring of Elgin; and brother, Timothy (Carol) Spring of Minnesota City. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Jeana Constans (Houston, TX), Megan and Tyler Constans (Eyota, Minn.), and Nicholas and MaKenna Pearson (Pequot Lakes, Minn.) and 8 nieces and nephews: Richard, Michelle, Janeal, Darrin, Sharon, Crystal, Dicey and Sam.

Rick was preceded in death by his father, Laurel, and brother, Michael.

Visitation will be held from 1-4 p.m. Friday, June 6, at Kline Funeral Home in Pine River, MN, and a Celebration of Life service at Plainview-Elgin Methodist Church on Sunday, June 8, at 2 p.m. in Elgin, MN, with the Rev. Deanna Woodward officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the American Heart Association.