Ida Ripperger

Memorials to St. Mary's Catholic Church. Ida was born in Stratton, Colorado on March 10, 1931 to Joseph and Clara (Weibel) Knochel. She was raised and went to school in Stratton and after graduating high school worked at the courthouse. She met Herb Ripperger while visiting her sister in Iowa, they were married February 16, 1955 in Stratton, Colorado. They were blessed with five children: Donald, Carol, Duane, Mary, and Karen. They made their home in Lacona and raised their children while working the farm; providing a good education and strong family values. The grandchildren also enjoyed the farm experience. She enjoyed the outdoors, working in the garden growing vegetables and flowers, even once raising a 63-pound watermelon. Ida collected glass paperweights and salt and pepper shakers. She was an excellent cook and baker. Her children and grandchildren were especially fond of her pies, cinnamon rolls, and donuts and donut holes. They moved to Indianola in 2000, but continued to come to the farm. Ida passed away August 4, 2011 at the Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. She was preceded in death by her parents: Joe and Clara; and a brother Ferdie Knochel. Ida is survived by her husband, Herb; children: Donald (Rose) Ripperger of Lacona, Carol Ripperger of West Des Moines, Duane (Karen) Ripperger of Amarillo, TX, Mary (Rick) Zimmerman of Indianola, and Karen (Joe) Wallace of Indianola; 9 grandchildren: Chad Ripperger, Joe Ripperger, Michael Ripperger, Daniel Ripperger, Mitch Zimmerman, Tyler Wallace, Kelly Peters, Karen Vrban, and Stephanie Wallace; and a great grandson, Jensen Zwirlein. Also surviving are sisters: Mary Marnell, Marcella (Paul) Schaefer, and Betty (Harold) Wachter; and brother-in-law Wayne (Sara) Ripperger and sister-in-law Anna Marie Blair.