Louise E. “Jean” Rippel, 88, of Waterloo, died at her 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 were later divorced. She then married Merle Rippel in November 1949 in Mt. Ayr. He preceded her in death.
Louise graduated from Tingley High School in 1939 as valedictorian. She attended the University of Northern Iowa for two years and college in Maryville, Missouri for one year, receiving an elementary teaching certificate. During the war years, Jean worked at the Denver, Colorado Arsenal Plant, at Des Moines Postal Telegraph, and at Arends. She and Merle were the owners and operators of Mt. Auburn Lumber for 30 years. They also farmed in Mt. Auburn for many years.
She was baptized into the Brethren Church in Waterloo. Louise 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.
Louise is survived by one son, Kenneth R. (Ann) Rippel of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; one daughter, Joy Lane (Downer) Kilby of West Bend, Wisconsin; and five grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one son, Chris Rippel; one 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.
319 233-3146
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