Geraldine R. "Jeri" Rippe

A Memorial Service for Geraldine was held on Friday, May 5, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Ohiowa. PMA Deb Rippe presided over the Service A Graveside Committal of Ashes was held at 9:00 a.m. at the Geneva Public Cemetery prior to the Memorial Service. Nancy Cradduck was the organist and the congregational hymns were "I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry," "Sing Them Over To Me Again," and "On Eagle's Wings." Memorials are suggested to the Oaks Indian Mission, NSEA Children's Fund, or the Fillmore County Hospital Foundation. Geraldine (Jeri) Rippe was the only child of Thomas B. and Laurine (Ricketts) Madison. She was born on her aunt and uncle's farm south of Fairmont, Nebraska on January 19, 1932. She went to be with her Lord on Saturday, November 19, 2022 at Tabitha Journey House in Lincoln, Nebraska at the age of 90 years and 10 months. She began her school years at Burress, Nebraska School District 21 in a one room school. Jeri's dream of being a teacher started in the first grade when her teacher Miss Stastny made such an impression on her. Her family moved to Geneva in 1942. She was baptized and joined the United Church of Christ, later changing her membership to the Geneva Evangelical United Brethren Church. She graduated with the class of 1949 from Geneva High School. She attended Doane College in Crete, Fairbury Junior College, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Kearney State College. She received her bachelor and master degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She married Donald Rippe on February 26, 1950 at the Geneva Evangelical United Brethren Church. To this union were born four children: Russell (Russ), Rochelle (Shelli), Jayne and Karen. The three most important things in her life were faith, family and shaping the lives of children by being a teacher. She showed her faith by the way she lived her life, serving her church and helping others. Her pride was evident in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She always encouraged them to do their best in whatever their goals in life were. After earning her 2-year teaching certificate, she taught 5 years in the Bruning School District and 27 years in the Shickley School District while completing her bachelor and master degrees in elementary education at the same time. She retired from teaching in 1995. Besides spending much time furthering her education and raising her family, she was an active member of local, state and national educational associations. She held the position of president and secretary-treasurer of the Shickley Education Association, served on the executive committee for Capital District and the communication committee of NSEA and attended the state delegate assembly many times. In addition, Jeri belonged to international and state reading associations. She held a Lifetime Nebraska Teacher's Certificate. After marrying, she joined Grace Lutheran Church of Ohiowa and later transferred to Trinity Lutheran Church in Bruning. At Trinity, she taught Junior Lutherans, Sunday School, and Vacation Bible School for many years. She served on Parish Education, Worship and Altar Committees. She also helped Pastor Damrow write a confirmation study he used for several years. Jeri was an active member in WELCA, serving as president and treasurer and enjoying many conference meetings which she attended. She served on the church council for 8 years, many of those as secretary. She represented Trinity at both the Central States and Nebraska Synod assemblies. After retiring, Jeri enjoyed doing volunteer work, attending concerts and traveling. Some of her most memorable trips were to England, Ireland, Washington D. C. and New York City, seeing many Broadway shows. She worked many years for the U. S. Department of Education conducting assessments in various schools around the state. She belonged to Bruning Woman's Club where she served as president, secretary, treasurer and on various committees. She belonged to the Extension Cords for many years and served as president for the Thayer County Executive Board. She belonged to the Thayer County Hospital Guild and spent many hours working at Things and Stuff in Hebron. In addition, since Geneva was her hometown, Jeri joined the Fillmore County Hospital Guild. One of her proudest moments as president of the Guild and a member on the Fillmore County Hospital Foundation Board was the new hospital that was built in 2010. In June 2017, she moved to The Gardens Assisted Living in Crete to be near her family. She enjoyed making new friends and playing cards, dominoes and bingo with the other residents. She often attended Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Lincoln with her daughter, and transferred her membership there shortly before her death. She leaves to mourn her: son Russ (Susan) of Milford, Nebraska, daughters Shelli of Snellville, Georgia, Jayne (Jim) Germer of Crete, Nebraska, and Karen (Dolores) of Camas, Washington; grandchildren Noël (Justin) Cermak and Behrendt (Tiffany) Rippe, all of Lincoln, Nebraska; and great grandchildren Salaya, Kirah and Liam of Lincoln, Nebraska.

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Geraldine R. "Jeri" Rippe

January 19, 1932 - November 19, 2022