Lawrence E. Rippe

Lawrence E. Rippe, 78, died Wednesday, October 16, 2013 at Cambridge Place in Marysville, KS. A funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 19, at Ward Funeral Home in Washington. Pastor Jim Stark officiated. Sheila Ouellette was the organist and Rick and Julie Tegethoff sang, "Old Rugged Cross", "How Great Thou Art" and "Nearer My God To Thee." Burial was in the Washington City Cemetery. Pallbearers were Sheldon Rippe, Kyle Rippe, Kolton Morse, Tucker Maddox, Les Gauby and Gary Gauby. Honorary bearers were Lee Gauby, Don Tegethoff, Jim Jones, Larry Lohrengel, Ron Montague, Norman Stewart and Bob Kern. Lawrence was born on May 13, 1935 on the farm in Independence Township, Washington County, KS, to Henry and Malinda (Maatsch) Rippe. On June 2, 1935, he was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lanham, KS, and later confirmed there on April 10, 1949. He attended school at Lanham and Odell. He worked as the concrete plant manager at Mueller Sand and Gravel in Washington for many years. He then operated Rippe’s Skelly Service in Washington and later worked at Dixon Tire in Washington and Marysville. After retirement, he loved working for area farmers during planting season and harvest. On April 16, 1955, he married Mary Eccles. They later divorced. In 1977, he married Frances Bagley. They later divorced. Lawrence enjoyed playing cards, music, and watching sports. He loved dancing and would attend area dances, making sure all the ladies would get to dance. He didn’t want anyone left out of dancing. Family was his greatest love. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He would help his son and son-in-law with their stock cars and enjoyed attending the races. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Wilmer; and sister, Roine Tegethoff. Survivors include his children, Ronnie Rippe, Midland, TX, Larry (Pam) Rippe, Odessa, TX, Jimmy Rippe, Greenleaf, Jeff (Crystal) Rippe, Silver Lake, KS; Malinda (Terry) Morse, Russell, KS, and Angela Smith, Washington; brother, Norman (Darlene) Rippe, Smith Center, KS; sisters, Laura (Darrell) Allerheiligen, Waverly, NE, and Janice Walley, Wichita; sister-in-law, Sharon (Rob) deLaney, Renton, WA; brother-in-law, Forrest “Frosty” Tegethoff, Washington; twelve grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. A memorial fund has been established and will be designated at a later time. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lawrence E. Rippe, please visit our flower store.