JEAN “TOOKINS” MARLENE RIPP

JEAN “TOOKINS” MARLENE RIPP

     Jean “Tookins” Marlene Ripp, 87, passed away Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Dove Healthcare in Osseo, WI.

     She was born May 1, 1936, to Eugene and Arleen O’Brien in Black River Falls (BRF), WI. Jean graduated from BRF High School in 1954 and then worked as a receptionist at the hospital in BRF. In 1957, she married Donald C. Ripp and lived in Hixton, WI, where they farmed a third-generation farm with Don’s brother, Howard and his wife, Mary. In 1969, they sold the farm and purchased a Heileman’s distributorship in BRF where Jean was the business bookkeeper. Don and Jean eventually sold Ripp Distributing to their son, Paul, and daughter-in-law, Theresa, continuing the family business for another generation.

     Jean was a wonderful cook and had a large collection of cookbooks. Jean and Don enjoyed snowmobiling, trips to Las Vegas and took up golf later in life. Jean loved reading novels and was an excellent seamstress. Her biggest joy in life was spending time with her children and grandchildren.

     Jean is preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers Gary and David, infant brother Douglas and sister-in-law Jane O’Brien.

     Jean is survived by her children, Wayne (Julie) Ripp, David (Sheri) Ripp, Lisa (Robert) Hildebrandt and Paul (Theresa) Ripp; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and she was looking forward to welcoming three more great grandchildren this spring. She is also survived by her brother, Dennis (Diane) O’Brien, sister-in-law Betty O’Brien and numerous nieces and nephews.

     The funeral mass for Jean “Tookins” will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Alma Center. A visitation will be held at church from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Alma Center.

     The family would like to thank the staff at Dove Healthcare in Osseo for the wonderful care of their mother.