Richard Ripp

Ripp, Richard (Tibby) CROSS PLAINS Richard (Tibby) Ripp, age 72, of Cross Plains, passed away on Friday, May 23, 2008, at the UW Hospital after a courageous battle with prostate cancer. He was born March 14, 1936, son of Eleanor (Kalscheur) and Charles Ripp. Dick attended St. Francis Xavier Grade School and Middleton High School. Dick graduated from Loras College where he was president of the Veterans Club after serving time in the army in Korea. Dick married his wife Carol Johnson on June 13, 1959. Dick worked for General Motors (heavy equipment division) and final years of his career as a sales manager for SES Equipment until retirement. He was a member of Sacred Heart parishes in Lombard, Ill., for 40 years where he was a volunteer coach for football, basketball and girls softball. He was president of Sacred Hearts Holy Name Society, a Knights of Columbus member since 1954 and a Pro-Life advocate. Dick retired and moved to his hometown of Cross Plains, where he enjoyed golf, church activities, gardening, traveling, and helping with the family farm where his son Roger and his family reside. He enjoyed singing in the Barber Shop groups, Capital Chordsmen while in Madison and the Fourwinds group in Gulf Shores where he enjoyed spending his winters. Dick is survived by his loving wife, Carol; four children, Ginny (Bill) Langtim of Palatine, Ill., Bob Ripp of Sparta, N.J., Dave (Sue) Ripp of Kansas City, Kan., and Roger (Kristen) Ripp of Cross Plains; eight grandchildren who were his pride and joy, Erin (Tom) Kalaway, Brian and Bobby Langtim, Rachel, Derek, and Blake Ripp, and Nathan and Kevin Ripp; two great-grandchildren, Cameron and Ryan Kalaway; his sisters, Elaine Saber, Sister Virginia Ripp, Nancy (George) Scripko, Gail (Everett) Thoreson and Peg Ripp; sisters-in-law, Marlyn (Mike) Donagan, Anita Yerina and Shirley (Joel) Feinblatt; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law, Florence and Robert Johnson; brother, Dan; and brothers-in-law, Ed Welch, Charlie Saber and Jim Yerina. A Mass celebrating his life will be held at ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2947 Thinnes St., Cross Plains, on Friday, May 30, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. with Father Tom Kelley presiding. Friends may call on Thursday, May 29, 2008, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., and on Friday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to St. Francis Xavier Endowment Fund. The family would like to thank the UW Oncology Department, Dr. Meyer of Virginia, and Dr. Bill Blair of the Us Too Organization for all their support, encouragement and compassionate care of Dick during his illness. Gunderson West Funeral and Cremation Centers 2421 Church St. (608) 798-3141 www.gundersonfh.com