In loving memory of

Arnold Dean Ripley Sr.

October 25, 1927 - November 7, 2015
Arnold Dean Ripley Sr.

Arnold Dean Ripley Sr.

Born: October 25, 1927
Died: November 7, 2015
Age: 88
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   Arnold Dean Ripley Sr., age 88, of Sac City, IA, passed away at his home on Saturday, November 7, 2015.  Arnold was born October 25, 1927, to Paul and Velma (Hoyle) Ripley at Lake City, IA.  He attended country school near Lake City, until seventh grade.

   On August 25, 1945, Arnold was united in marriage to Norma Arlene Hutchinson at Storm Lake, IA.  They were blessed with a daughter Linda Kay and son Arnold Dean Jr.  They made their home in Sac City. 

   Arnold served his country in the U.S. Air Force in 1946.  Following his honorable discharge from the service, he worked for John Deere, the State Highway Commission, and Mauer Construction Company as a heavy equipment operator for 22 years.  In 1970 he began working for the Western Engineering Company out of Harlan, IA, and was a Highway Construction Supervisor when he retired 23 years later, in 1993.  When the children were grown, Norma also worked for Western Engineering Company completing 21 years employment with them before retiring.  They traveled and worked in many states but maintained their home in Sac City.  After retiring they enjoyed several winters in Mesa, AZ.  Arnold loved country music and dancing with his wife.  He also enjoyed woodworking in his spare time and was a great story teller of our family, entertaining everyone with his great knowledge and memories. He loved his family, grandkids and great grandkids and enjoyed them very much.

   Survivors include his son Arnold Dean (Bonnie) Ripley Jr. of Sac City, IA; three grandchildren: Dawn Christensen of Santa Clarita, CA, Chad (Jamie) Ripley of Wall Lake, IA, Brandy Ripley (Shaun Hansen) of Sac City, IA; step-grandchildren: John Thometz of Harlan, IA and Amy Thometz of Omaha, NE; great-grandchildren: Allysha and Allyssa Vibbard, Tanner Tilley, Parker Christensen, and Cadence Ripley; step great-grandchildren: Joel and Jaxson Cromwell, Averie and Bo Thometz, and Katelynn and Abigail Dobbs.  Other survivors include his brothers: Bill Ripley of Denver, CO, Paul (Margaret) Ripley of Alta, IA; step-brother Howard (Rose) Mordick, Spencer, IA; half sisters Laurel Mordick Goettsch, Cedar Rapids, IA, Lynette Mordick (Robert) Jacques, Los Angeles, CA;  brother-in-law: Robert (Bob) Hutchinson, Sac City, IA; sisters-in-law: Charolette (Nation) Hutchinson of Newell, IA,  Donnita Hutchinson Hicks, Sac City, IA, Betty Hutchinson (Neal) Hanke, Topeka, KS, Lois Hale of Humboldt, IA; many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

   He was preceded in death by his wife Norma, October 21, 2015; his daughter Linda Kay (James) Christensen; parents Paul Ripley and Velma Irene Hoyle Ripley-Mordick;  parents-in-law Joe and Eva Hutchinson; step-father Leslie Mordick;  grandson Todd Myers;  brother Ivan Ripley; sisters: Lois Ripley Edgington, Deloris Ripley and Carol Ripley (Dick)  Wagner; sisters-in-law: Betty (Nagel) Hutchinson, Maurine Hutchinson Stanford; brothers-in-law: Lawrence Edgington, Don Goettsch, and Everett, Paul, Eugene, Virgil, Dick, Billy and Keith Hutchinson, Willis Stanford, Tom (Charlotte) Moore, Lawrence (Adah) Bauer, and Everett (Donnita) Hicks.

 

SERVICES
1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Farber & Otteman Funeral Home
Sac City, Iowa
OFFICIATING
Pastor Sharla Hulsey
VISITATION
5-7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Farber & Otteman Funeral Home
Sac City, Iowa
INTERMENT
Oakland Cemetery
Sac City, Iowa

Condolences

Thursday, November 12, 2015 at 9:15 AM
“Chad and Family, again our deepest sympathies on the loss of you grandfather.”
- Mark and Tami auen
Thursday, November 12, 2015 at 9:15 AM
“I am so sorry to hear of Arnie's passing...Will always remember him! family and friends are in my prayers!”
- Roni (Vauble) Erington
Thursday, November 12, 2015 at 9:14 AM
“So sorry to hear this news. We are out of town but all of you are in our thoughts.
”
- Ken & Vera Thomas
Thursday, November 12, 2015 at 9:14 AM
“We are so sorry for your loss. True love wins out & he is now reunited with the love of his life! God Bless”
- Lloyd & Linda Myers
Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at 11:54 AM
“Pam, I am sorry for your loss.
”
- Esther Drey
Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at 11:54 AM
“So sorry to hear of the passing of Big Rip, especially on the heels of the loss of your mother, Arnie. I've had many bosses in my varied work life and I have to say Big Rip was one of the best. As long as you did your job, a little horse play was always permitted. It was a tough life working asphalt road construction, and he knew that better than most. I will share one story that has always stuck with me 45 years later. We were working on a county blacktop resurfacing project in the boonies of northwest Iowa. It was hot, about 95 degrees in the shade, and there was no shade. I was standing in the ditch on the side of the road, and suddenly found myself lying in the ditch. My legs had buckled and I simply fell down. That was weird; I was in probably the best shape of my life. Young Arnie noticed and inquired what was going on. I had no idea. I thought it was fluke. But two minutes later, it happened again. I found myself lying in the ditch for no apparent reason. Big Rip was hailed down and quickly arrived on the scene. He looked at me and noticed that I had quit sweating. My tan skin was dry and white, covered with a light coat of salt emitted from sweating. He ordered me into his truck and off we went in search of some shade. I didn't know what was going on, but he knew that I was suffering from heat exhaustion. He found a large oak tree on the side of a nearby farm pasture and parked me under it with a gallon of water and a handful of salt pills. He told me to stay there, suck on the salt pills and drink plenty of water. After about an hour and a half, he returned, picked me up and off we went back to the paving crew. I was better and he never brought it up again. Today, I would be hauled off by an ambulance, treated in an ER and held for observation at a cost of, oh, maybe $1,500? Big Rip was a good man and will be sorely missed by many. My condolences to Arnie and his family.”
- Randy Miller
Monday, November 9, 2015 at 3:10 PM
“Our prayers are with you. So sad to lose both parents so close together but they are together again.”
- Roxy Rubendall and Leon
Monday, November 9, 2015 at 1:54 PM
“Praying for your family.”
- Denise Opsal
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