December 28, 2024

Michael R. Ripperger

Creston

Michael R. Ripperger, 81, of Creston, died Thursday, Dec. 8, 2023, at Creston Specialty Care.

Michael R. Ripperger, 81, of Creston, died Thursday, Dec. 8, 2023, at Creston Specialty Care. (Contributed )

Michael Ripperger, 81, of Creston, died Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, at Creston Specialty Care. Open visitation, with family to receive friends, will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., with a prayer service following at 1 p.m., on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at Powers Funeral Home, 601 New York Avenue, Creston. Mary O’Riley will officiate. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Creston. Flag presentation will be provided by the Theodore J. Martens V.F.W. Post 1797.

Memorials can be directed to the family, to be determined. Online condolences may be made at www.powersfh.com.

Michael Ray Ripperger was born Aug. 16, 1942, to Marvin Joseph and Margaret Henritta (Mulcia) Ripperger in Creston. Michael graduated from East Union High School in 1961. He served his country in the U.S. Navy.

On April 25, 1970, Mike was united in marriage to Karan “Sue” (Dix) at the Immaculate Conception Church in Creston. They settled in Creston and Mike worked for Smith Concrete driving trucks and Union County Secondary Roads Department, where he was a drag line operator and truck driver.

Mike later sold feed for Morman Feed. In 1985 they moved to Grinnell where he worked in a hardware store and CertianTeed factory as a parts controller until 2002. He then worked for Priority Plastics making plastic containers. He retired in 2012 and moved back to Creston in 2017 to be near family.

Michael was a faithful and dedicated member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Creston. He enjoyed tractor pulls, antique tractor shows and watching NASCAR.

Survivors include his wife Karan “Sue” Ripperger of Creston; one daughter, Kari Lynn Ripperger (Jake Teschler) of Columbus, Ohio; his brother, Tim Ripperger of Council Bluffs; two sisters, Barb Matthews of Creston and Caroline Hubatka of Afton; sisters-in-law: Retta Ripperger and Penny Ripperger, both of Afton and Shirley Davenport of Creston; brother-in-law, Burt Dix of Elgin, Illinois; two grandchildren, Raymond Zeliadt and Harrison Teschler, both of Columbus.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Diana Craig and Beverly Keimig; brothers, Mark and Dennis Ripperger and his nephew, Dannell Ripperger in 2023.