Peter Ripplinger

Peter Ripplinger was born Nov. 10, 1927 in Trail City, SD to Joseph and Magdalena Ripplinger and grew up working on the family farm. He was delivered to our Lord on Sept. 17, 2009 in Vancouver, WA after a courageous battle with kidney cancer. His early adult years were spent serving his country (four years in the Air Force and four years in the Army...the last two years spent fighting in the Korean war). After an honorable discharge from the Army in 1954, he joined his family who had moved to the Yakima Valley, WA area while he was in the military. He went back to farming for several months before going to work for the railroad. In 1955 he married his wife of 33 years, Patricia Roy, and they raised eight wonderful children together. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Vancouver, WA where Pete found a job with Kaiser Aluminum Culvert and he enjoyed a long career, first as a truck driver and then a welder. Pete was always a kind, thoughtful and generous man who never passed up an opportunity to help others. He was a friend to everyone. He was a hard worker and liked to keep busy..."didn't like to let the grass grow under his feet". Pete enjoyed woodworking, bowling, music, dancing, card games, gardening and attending all his children's and grand-children's sporting events over the years. He especially loved to dance and was active in several square dance groups in Portland with his dear and devoted friend, Nadine Robson. His Catholic faith was very important to him and he remained actively involved in the church until the end. Left behind to share his memories and love are his beloved "one and only" daughter, Cathy (Paul) Coiteux and six wonderful sons: Steve (DeeAnn), Pete (Jen), Rick, Don (Leasa), Mike (Nicole), Greg (Leslie). He also leaves behind 20 grandchildren; one great-grandson; his dear friend, Nadine; five sisters, Julie, Mary, Rosie, Francis and Sister Helen who is a retired nun in North Dakota; and one brother, Joe, who still resides in Yakima; his ex-wife, Patricia; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Emil, in 2004; and his two brothers, Ed and LeRoy. The family would like to give a very special thanks to Aurora and Ian (John) Pal of the Loving Touch Adult Family Home. The incredible care, love and devotion they demonstrated made his final journey in life much less difficult. His family will be forever grateful to them for their wonderful care. A viewing will be held at Evergreen Memorial gardens on Wed., Sept. 23, 2009 from noon to 6:00 p.m. with a rosary service to follow at 6:00 p.m. A funeral Mass for this wonderful man, friend and father will be celebrated on Thurs., Sept. 24, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church with a reception right after. The burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

Peter Ripplinger

November 10, 1927 - September 17, 2009