Donald James Ripp
October 13, 1935 - May 30, 2024
Obituary
BLACK EARTH - Donald James Ripp, 88, of Black Earth, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, May 30, 2024. He was born on Oct. 13, 1935, to William and Susan (Ziegler) Ripp.
Don graduated from Black Earth High School in 1954. He served in the U. S. Army and Reserves until his honorable discharge in November of 1961 and was a proud member of the Mickelson-Martin Black Earth Legion Post No. 313.
In 1960, he married Beverly Adler at St. Barnabas Catholic Church in Mazomanie. They farmed their entire lives on the family farm just outside Black Earth, where Don was born and raised, and they happily raised five children, Cynthia Brunner, Brian (Janice) Ripp, Roxanna (Charles) O’Brien, Anita (Gene) Brooks and Thomas (Cristin) Ripp.
Don is also survived by his grandchildren, Benjamin (Kristin) Brunner, Elizabeth (Josh) Clauss, Madeline (Patrick Cardel) Brunner, Kyle (Aryel) Ripp, Garrett (Aly) O’Brien, Lauren (Jake) O’Brien, Susan (Ryan) Brooks, Emily Brooks, Kyra (Jason) Ripp, Braden and Gage Ripp, April (Mick) Krueger and Joe (Rachel) Lawler; his great-grandchildren, Adriann and Jackson Lawler, Serenity and Maverick Krueger, Charlotte and Mabel Clauss and Sophie Brunner; sisters-in-law, Patti Rous and Joyce Prosa (Phil) Cowling; brothers-in-law, Ronald Adler and Larry (Tammy) Adler; many dear nieces, nephews, cousins and very dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, John and Olive Adler; son-in-law, Kenneth Brunner; sisters-in-law, Jackie Adler Key and Connie Adler; and brothers-in-law, Bernard Prosa, Jerry Rous and Steven Key.
Don was an active community member, serving on the Black Earth Town Board, Planning Commission, and Fire Board. He also served on the Boards of Patrons Mercantile Co-op, Wisconsin Heights School Board and PCA. He was recognized as the first Pork All American for Wisconsin in 1970 and received the Outstanding Young Farmer award.
In addition to farming, Don worked in the insurance industry for many years. He enjoyed fishing, especially annual trips to Ten Mile Lake in Canada, woodworking, playing cards, and spending time at Green Lake with family and friends. He loved watching the birds at his feeders and caring for his cats and kittens.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2947 Thinnes St., Cross Plains, at 11 a. m. on Thursday, June 6, 2024. A visitation will be held at the church from 4 p.m. to 7 p. m. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, and also from 10 a. m. until the time of the Mass on Thursday. A luncheon will be provided immediately following a graveside service.
A special thanks to Dr. Janelle Hupp and the wonderful staff at Wisconsin Heights Clinic, Heartland Hospice, and Mickelson-Martin Black Earth Legion Post No. 313 for the flags of honor.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Donald may be made to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration in memory of his son-in-law, Ken Brunner, or to the Saint Francis Xavier Endowment Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Camacho Black Earth
Funeral & Cremation Care
1710 Center St.
(608) 767-3684