RIPPEL, Louise E. "Jean" 1922-2011

RIPPEL, HEYER, SMITH, ACKERSON, KILBY, RADEMACHER

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 10/11/2011 at 19:39:04

[Waterloo Courier, Wednesday, July 13, 2011]

WATERLOO - Louise E. "Jean" Rippel, 88, of Waterloo, died at home of natural causes.

She was born July 23, 1922, in Tingley, daughter of Ray and Helene Heyer Smith. She married Charles Ackerson, and they later divorced. She then married Merle Rippel in November 1949 in Mount Ayr. He preceded her in death.

Mrs. Rippel graduated from Tingley High School in 1939 as valedictorian. She attended the University of Northern Iowa for two years and college in Maryville, Mo., for a year, receiving an elementary teaching certificate. During the war years, she worked at the Denver, Colo., Arsenal Plant, at Des Moines Postal Telegraph and at Arends. She and Merle were the owners and operators of Mount Auburn Lumber for 30 years. They also farmed in Mount Auburn for many years.

Survived by a son, Kenneth R. (Ann) of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; a daughter, Joy Lane (Downer) Kilby of West Bend, Wis.; and five grandchildren.

Preceded in death by her parents; a son, Chris Rippel; a sister, Ava Rademacher; and her close companion, E.J.

There will be no services or visitation. Kearns, Huisman-Schumacher Chapel on Kimball assisted the family.

Jean was baptized into the Brethren Church, Waterloo. She and her husband vacationed in Hawaii, Canada, and Brownsville, Texas, where they spent their winters. Until recently moving into an apartment, Jean lived at Friendship Village for 10 years.