Marion Helen Ruth Rippke (Hamann)

MOVILLE, Iowa -- Marion Helen Rippke, 86, of Moville died Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2010, at a Sioux City hospital.
Services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moville. Burial will be in Arlington Township Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of McCulloch Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home in Moville.
Marion was born to Hans Peter and Henriette Elizabeth (Zellmer) Hamann on Nov. 5, 1923. She grew up on a farm east of Anthon, Iowa, the youngest of six children. Marion attended Manilla Independent Country School and graduated from Anthon High School. After graduation she worked at Garrison's Variety and Grocery Store until her marriage.
On Aug. 22, 1948, Marion was united in marriage to Alvin E. Rippke. After their marriage, the couple moved to their farm home south of Moville, where they have since resided. They are the parents to five children, 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Marion was a busy wife and mother during the years her children were at home. She worked at Younker's for a time, but her longest tenure was at Hunting's IGA, where she retired due to health reasons in 1988.
Marion and Alvin loved to dance and were longtime members of the Kingsley Swingers square dance club. Marion also loved to write poetry and has hundreds of poems to her credit that she wrote for family, friends, and the church. Many of them have been published. In later years, Marion and Alvin enjoyed camping and logged many miles traveling around the country to view some of its most scenic places.
Above all, Marion loved her family and most of her activities were directed in support of them. Marion attended Trinity Lutheran Church throughout her marriage and was a longtime Sunday School teacher and served on many of the guilds and committees. She was also heavily involved in the 4-H program with her children and wrote many prize-winning demonstrations.
Marion is survived by her husband of 62 years, Alvin. Others left to honor her memory are her children, David and wife, Debbie of Genoa, Neb., Neil and wife, Joylyn of Moville, Diane and husband, Leslie Meier of Iowa Falls, Iowa, Dale and wife, Sharon of Fort Dodge, Iowa, Byron and wife, Becki of Ames, Iowa; 13 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are sisters, Mildred Fitchner and Margaret Milligan; and sisters-in-law, Margaret Byers and Margaret Hamann.
Marion was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Bill, John and Alfred; and by her grandson, Dylan Rippke.