BLACK EARTH - Betty Ann Ripp, age 80, passed away peacefully from a stroke on Jan. 2, 2024. She was born Betty Ann Williams on Dec. 29, 1943, in the Town of Berry, the sixth child of Harvey J. and Anna (Ann) Elizabeth Rush Williams. Betty grew up on a farm in Black Earth and graduated from Black Earth High School in 1962.

On March 3, 1962, Betty married Raphael J. Ripp at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Cross Plains, celebrating 61 years of loving marriage together. They operated a successful dairy, hog and crop farm that continues on to this day.

Betty was an essential part of the farm life. Her days were dedicated to the labors of raising the calves to heifers and helping with daily barn chores. Above and beyond the farm, she raised and cared for her three children, all while maintaining the household and cooking for the family and hired help. She faithfully did these things with perseverance and love in her heart.

She loved all animals especially cats and the rabbits she kept as pets. Betty loved visiting the zoo always seeking out the giraffe, her favorite animal.

Betty and Raphael enjoyed traveling throughout their marriage to many places, including Hawaii, Bahamas and Aruba. In their retirement they became snowbirds, staying winters, exploring and making new friends in California, Arizona and Florida. Betty also took a fondness to viewing Wisconsin nature from the passenger seat of Raphael’s newest toy (UTV) during the spring, summer and fall months. She held steadfast and true in her life while teaching curiosity, kindness and love to her children and those around her.

Betty’s legacy is carried on by those who mourn her loss, her beloved husband, Raphael; her children, Jeff (Madison), Jon and Kay (Black Earth) and Elizabeth and Jeff Gaida (Orlando, Fla.); and her grandchildren, Nathan, Jozi and Jordy Ripp and Carson and Logan Gaida.

She was preceded in death by her father, Harvey (1955); her mother, Ann (1996); her step-father, Walter D. Muetzenberg (1984); her brothers, Harvey Grover, Earl James, Clarence LeRoy and Fred Charles Williams; an older sister, Virginia Williams Vorlop; as well as her father and mother-in-law, Martin (1981) and Olive Maly Ripp (1998).

Friends and family are welcome to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2947 Thinnes St., Cross Plains, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024. A visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Saturday. A burial will follow the Mass at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery. A luncheon will follow in the church cafeteria. All are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Humane Society of the United States. www.humanesociety.org.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Camacho Black Earth

Funeral & Cremation Care

1710 Center St.

(608) 767-3684

Betty Ann Ripp

December 29, 1943 - January 02, 2024

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