Wesley L. Rippe

August 18, 1936 - July 4, 2019

Wesley Lloyd Rippe was born to Emil W. Rippe and Martha E. Weber on August 18, 1936 at Lincoln, Nebraska and passed away July 4, 2019 at Fairview Manor in Fairmont, Nebraska at the age of 82 years, 10 months, and 17 days. He was one of 4 children in the family. Except for the 2 years he spent in Germany with the US Army, his life was spent at Ohiowa. Wes attended County Line country school through the 6th grade. He then attended and graduated from Ohiowa Public School with the class of 1955. Farming was Wes’ life. In addition to farming he drove school bus for Ohiowa Public School & worked for the State of Nebraska Department of Roads. He inspected grain elevators for the State of Nebraska Public Service Commission from 1973 until his retirement in 1999. Wes was married to Bonnie Lea Nun of Ohiowa, Nebraska on March 29, 1958, and to them 5 children were born. Wes was baptized and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church at rural Ohiowa. After he & Bonnie were married, he transferred to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Ohiowa. Some of Wes’ favorite activities were attending any type of program or sporting event that his kids, grandkids, or great-grandkids were involved in. He was also famous for asking “who wants to play cards?” If the weather was nice, horse shoes was another favorite activity. Wes also enjoyed traveling throughout the State of Nebraska with Bonnie, Cliff, & Sarah to see all the attractions the State has to offer. Bonnie & Wes enjoyed camping and especially enjoyed the time they spent as Camp Hosts at Rock Creek Station, Rockford Lake, & Alexandria State Lakes. He enjoyed dancing & listening to music, especially Glen Miller, Statler Brothers, & polkas. Many hours were spent watching western movies & old western TV shows. Wes was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Leonard & Donald; sisters-in-law Leona, Marge, & Cathi; nephew Earl Rippe; parents-in-law George & Angeline Nun; and sister-in-law Jenene Nun. He is survived by wife Bonnie of Ohiowa; children LaDonna (Sam Pendleton), Craig (Kim) Rippe, Leroy (Colleen) Rippe all of Geneva; Nancy (Ben Pekar) York; Sandy (Rick Bolejack) Tabor, IA; 9 grandchildren; 2 step-grandsons; 13 great-grandchildren; step-greatgrandson; brother Cliff (Sarah) Rippe; sister-in-law Geraldine Rippe; brothers-in-law Gorlyn & Vaughn (Sue) Nun; and a host of nieces, nephews, & friends. A Funeral Service for Wes was held on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Ohiowa. PMA Jim Germer officiated the service. The recorded selections “Amazing Grace,” “How Great Thou Art,” “Daddy’s Hands,” and “The Old Rugged Cross” were played during the service. Pallbearers for the service included Ryan Rippe, Sam Pendleton, Wes Rippe, Tony Bolejack, Steve Rippe, and Verryl Meyers. Honorary Bearers included Heather Behmerwohld, Amber Bowman, Christine Harris, Wendy Rippe, and Courtney Pendleton. Interment was held in the Ohiowa Public Cemetery following the Funeral Service. Military Rites were performed by the Ohiowa American Legion Franklin Post #193 and the Nebraska Military Honor Guard. Farmer & Son Funeral Home of Geneva was in care of the arrangements and online condolences can be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation.