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James Riepe, 62, of Des Moines died Monday, June 8, 2020, at Mercy One Hospice Home in Johnston. A sharing time will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, June 13, 2020, at Powers Funeral Home in Creston. Social distancing guidelines will be encouraged. Open visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday with family receiving friends from 3 to 5 p.m. at Powers Funeral Home in Creston. Burial will be at a later date at the Grove Chapel Cemetery near Kent. Memorials may be given to Innovative Industries. Online condolences can be given at www.powersfh.com.
James Edward Riepe II, son of John Richard Riepe and Sharon Jeanne (Reed) Riepe was born April 21, 1958, in Creston. James was educated in Creston and graduated from Creston High School with the class of 1976. He then furthered his education at Southwestern Community College obtaining an Associate’s Degree in business.
On Sept. 29, 1979, James was united in marriage to Darlene Harrison. They were blessed with three children: Amber, Ashley and Emily. James lived in Creston and worked at Innovative Industries as a supervisor from 1980 to 1993. He then worked with the Creston U.S. Postal Service from 1993 to 2000, later relocating to Des Moines. In 2000, James and Darlene divorced.
In 2001, James met Morry Coleman and began working for the State of Iowa. James and Morry were married July 21, 2014, in Des Moines. James continued working with the State of Iowa until retiring in February of 2020.
James is survived by his spouse Morry Coleman of Des Moines; three daughters: Amber (Travis) Veatch of Creston, Ashley Riepe of Afton and Emily Riepe (fiancé Larry Borts) of Tingley; seven grandchildren: Lucas and Kinsley Veatch, Hallie and Addy White, Ava Gilbert, Tanner, Carter Richardson; two sisters: Holly Riepe of Des Moines and Blyth (Johnnie II) McGregor of Des Moines; two aunts Bonnie Riepe of Arispe and Carol (Kevin) Reed-King of Yuma, Arizona; uncle Stephen Riepe (significant other Gayla McKinnie) of Jefferson City, Missouri and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
James is preceded in death by his grandparents James and Bessie Riepe and Orlo and Evelyn Reed, mother Sharon Riepe in 1968, his father John Riepe in 2009, sister Kara Bess Riepe in 2001 and his brother Rik Riepe in 2016.