Keith Ripperger

Keith L. Ripperger was born December 28, 1927 in Bauer, Iowa to Philip and Laura Bauer Ripperger. He went to the Bauer School, walking uphill to and from school everyday. Keith served in the US Navy as a cook on the USS Hermitage. He was stationed in the South Pacific near Guam until 1947. He met Rita Miller in 1949 as she was passing through Bauer with some friends. They were married on January 22, 1951. They were blessed with six children: Janet, Leroy, Randy, Raymond, Rachel, and Tracy. They raised their children and farmed in the Bauer area. Keith retired in 1992 and moved to Lacona. Keith enjoyed telling stories to his family and friends. He also liked going to country western music shows, regularly attending the show at Rathbun, he also was a serious Solo player. Keith loved farming and John Deere tractors. He liked seeing the progress of the crops and took many drives through the country seeing the crops and ending up at the Dairy Queen. Keith passed away March 29, 2011 at the Legacy Lodge in Chariton at the age of 83 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Philip & Laura; son-in-law, Doyle Schurman; siblings: Vitus, Fabian, Gerald, Gilbert 'Jim', Leona Wadle, Irene Morland, Viola Hoch, and Jane Dexter. Keith is survived by his wife of 60 years, Rita; children: Janet (Kevin) Smith of Milo, Leroy (Melody) Ripperger of Knoxville, Randy (Mary) Ripperger of West Des Moines, Raymond (Melissa) Ripperger of Melcher-Dallas, Rachel Ripperger of Phoenix, AZ, and Tracy (Eric) Reeg of Norwalk; 15 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; a brother, Marcel Ripperger; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.