Mary Elizabeth Rikansrud

Mary Elizabeth Bartak Rikansrud, after her courageous 18-month battle with cancer, was taken into the arms of our Heavenly Father at 3:10 pm, Saturday August 20th, 2016.

The daughter of Elvin L. Bartak and Cleora Catherine McIlvain Bartak, Mary was born into this world on October 17th, 1947, in Greeley, Nebraska. The youngest of nine children, at age five, her family moved from Nebraska to Glendale, California. Throughout her life, Mary savored her early childhood memories in the Nebraska and maintained close ties to her extended family there.

Mary attended Bellarmine High School (Burbank, Ca), where she nurtured a love for God, family, friends, and travel. After graduating she explored Europe and returned home to pursue a career in the travel industry. She married Michael McKeig and they had two children, Jon & Shannon. In 1972, they moved from Glendale to San Diego, where Mary raised her children; instilling in them a love of travel and appreciation for a larger beautiful world. In San Diego, Mary continued her career at Fargo Travel as a travel agent. Her talent and industry earned her great success in the business; where she ultimately bought the travel agency and the business flourished.

In 2000, Mary was joyously united in marriage to Walter Rikansrud. Theirs was a lovingly devoted marriage of laughter, travel and true friendship. The births of her grandchildren were milestones. Ever dedicated to her grandchildren, despite distances, she was a loving presence daily. Her grandchildren know that no children ever had a more loving and devoted grandmother.

Mary’s life was always about family & friends. To her husband Walt, “She was a friend and lover, a companion and a comfort and the light of my life.” As a mother, she never spoke a harsh word and we witnessed her unconditional love daily. She walked with integrity, strength, and beauty that was always accompanied by her light and grace. As a grandmother, she was pure advocate. As a friend, she was always available.

Exceptional in countless ways, her overarching gift was the ability to inhabit the feelings of others completely. As all her loved ones know, she shared our joy and sorrow, laughter and fun without removal by degree. This selflessness and compassion always drew others to her and she made a friend of whomever she happened to sit next to.

She loved Padre games, working out with her pals at LA Fitness, visits with friends, and gardening. It is in her garden that one can know something of her. Cared for without appearing cut, even the smallest, most delicate flower had its place in the sun. The many colors and textures made a serene place to sit. The many little creatures were welcome too. Her laughter was infectious. No pride or vanity; we can all remember some instance with her laughing unreservedly at her own silly mistake.

She will be dearly missed by many.

Mary leaves behind her beloved husband, Walter Rikansrud; her son, Jon & his wife, Michelle McKeig and her daughter, Shannon McKeig Purpuri. Her four grandchildren: Ravi Purpuri and Ben, Natalie, and Rex McKeig. The youngest of nine children, Mary was preceded in death by her brother, Don, and leaves brothers Jim, Leo, Chuck, and sisters Colleen, Sharon, Bonny and Betty. She also parts with mother-in-law, Betty, and step-grandchildren Grace, Walter and Cooper.

A funeral will be held on Friday, September 9th, at 2:00 P.M. at The Immaculata Church, USD with a reception to follow at Madonna Hall, USD. Her obituary was published in the San Diego Union Tribune on Sunday, August 28th, 2016.

"and [s]he pitied as much as a man in pain
A writhing honey-bee wet with rain-" James Whitcomb Riley