BELLE PLAINE:  Rick L. Kent, 55, of Cedar Rapids and formerly of Belle Plaine, died Thursday, December 25, 2008 following a sudden illness, while vacationing at the Wisconsin Dells.
      Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM, Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at Christ United Methodist Church in Belle Plaine, with Rev. Jack Andrews officiating.  There will be no Public Committal Services.  Public Visitation will also be held at the church in Belle Plaine from 4 to 8 PM on Monday.  In lieu of flowers a Memorial Fund has been established.
      Rick was born November 18, 1953 at Belle Plaine to LaVerne "Poopsie" and Elaine (Shoemaker) Kent.  On June 17, 1995 he married Jenny Jones at the Little Brown Church in Nashua.
      He had been employed as a truck driver for Norm Dunning Trucking and worked as a carpenter.  Rick enjoyed motorcycle riding, camping and fishing and was a "master debater".  Rick enjoyed taking care of his yard and had a special connection with nature.
      He is survived by his wife, Jenny of Cedar Rapids; his daughter, Stacie (Nathan) Jans of Dysart; his sons, Jeramy (Jennifer) Clement of Dysart, Billy Jo (Julie) Kent of Kosta, and Logan LaVerne Kent of Cedar Rapids; his grandchildren, Curtis and Corbin Jans, Zoe Clement, Dakota Ebert, and Ashton Kent; and his brothers, Tom and Lonnie Kent both of Belle Plaine.
      He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Dan Kent.
      Phillips Funeral Home in Keystone is in charge of arrangements.