Margaret A. Ripp

CROSS PLAINS – Margaret A. "Marge" Ripp, age 81, died on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, at Agrace HospiceCare. She was born on August 29, 1934, in Springfield Corners, Wisc., the first daughter of Frank and Elizabeth (Laufenberg) Ballweg. Marge attended Sauk City High School and graduated in 1952. After graduation Marge worked for the American Cancer Society. On June 28, 1955, she married Roman F. Ripp at St. Martin's Catholic Church in Martinsville. Marge and Romie together raised three children, Cindy, Kathy and Kevin. The year Kevin started 3rd grade Marge began her 30 year career in banking at the Bank of Middleton, retiring at the age of 67 from the State Bank of Cross Plains. Marge loved life; the most important thing to her was family. She always believed in helping others. She learned that lesson first hand when at the age of 13 she and her family lost everything due to a tornado destroying their family farm and killing her younger sister Lucille. Marge always loved angels and after retiring she began making angels that she sold at craft shows and gave away as gifts for family and friends. She became known as the "Angel Lady". Marge also loved volunteering. She felt honored to assist families during their time of loss from St. Francis Xavier Church with their funeral luncheons. She made sure each funeral luncheon was special. Marge would never miss any of her grandkids sporting or music events. She and Romie were able to enjoy many years of traveling, especially their trips to Europe, Australia and Hawaii. Marge loved the holidays, especially Christmas. She thoroughly enjoyed decorating her home and picking out Christmas ornaments for each of her kids and grandkids. Marge is survived by her husband, Romie; children, Cindy (Jim) Albertson, Kathy Hilgendorf and Kevin (Rachel) Ripp; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Andy) VanSlett, Christine Albertson, Andrew Albertson, Shelly (TJ) Kilen, Courtney (Steve) Pauls, Kara Ripp (Bronson Duhr), Romie (Caitlyn) Ripp and Shane Adler; great-grandchildren, Taylor and Kacey VanSlett, Zander Kilen, Jackson and Noah Pauls; siblings, LaVern Ballweg, Melvin (Alice) Ballweg, Carol Jean (Don) Acker, Martin (Kathy) Ballweg, Marlene (Marv) Hellenbrand, Phyllis (Milo) Breunig, Patsy Jessing, Lois Krantz, Sharon Ballweg; brothers and sisters-in-law, Darlene Ballweg, Kathy Ballweg, Rollie (Mary) Ripp, Jim (Mary Ellen) Ripp, Joan Cavanaugh, Eileen (Herbie) Statz, Eugene Esser, Joe (Katie) Ripp, Mary (Jim) Finger, Bill (Carol) Ripp and Helen (Dennis) Radue; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her in-laws, Alphonse and Elizabeth Ripp; brothers, Daniel, Roger, Wilfred and Clarence Ballweg; sister, Lucille Ballweg; sisters-in-law, Monica Ballweg and Margaret Esser; brother-in-law, David Cavanaugh; nephews, Dennis and Dale Ballweg; and niece, Mary Ballweg. Funeral services will be held at ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2948 Thinnes St., Cross Plains on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016 at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held at the church from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 25, 2016 and also at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday. The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Homestead Living in Waunakee for the excellent care they provided to Marge for the last four years. She was truly a part of their family. The family would also like to thank Agrace HospiceCare for their wonderful care of Marge. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711 or to the Alzheimer's Association. Online condolences can be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Cross Plains Funeral & Cremation Care 2421 Church Street (608) 798-3141