Gordon Rippen

Biography

Gordon Rudolph Rippen died January 3, 2010 at McCook Community Hospital. He had been a resident of EI Dorado Manor in Trenton since December 17, 2008.

Gordon was born on November 16, 1922 at Hallam, NE to Henry and Carrie (Schneider) Rippen. He graduated from Culbertson Public School in 1942 with 12 years of perfect attendance.

On August 22, 1949 he married Frary Lou Likens at Kearney, NE. To this union one son was born - Phyl Gordon.

Gordon especially loved to be with his family, grandchildren & great-grandchildren.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church. He served many years on the Culbertson Fair Board. He was Superintendant of the Telephone Board to organize and build a telephone line south of Culbertson following the Republican River flood of 1935. He helped several years with the collecting and delivery of Christmas food boxes to the elderly and those in need ~
Gordon spent his life farming and raising cattle. He was an outdoorsman and a lover of all sports. There he made many lasting friendships with his hunting buddies. He was a big booster of his favorite town, Culbertson. He thought highly of his classmates, neighbors and friends.
He will be remembered as a hardworking man who never turned down a neighbor that needed some help.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Henry and Carrie Rippen; four brothers, Willard, Harlan, Alfred, and Irvin Rippen; two sisters, Blanch Brown and Merylin Fassler; three sisters-in-law, Caroline Rippen, Jennie Rippen, and Berneta Likens; two brothers-in-law, Donald Fassler and Dean Likens.

Survivors include his wife, Frary; his son, Phyl and wife, Trish of Culbertson; one brother Leland Rippen of McCook; sisters-in-law, Jackie Rippen of Culbertson and Maxine Poore of Salina, KS; three granddaughters, Joni and husband, Jason Recroft of Kearney, Tara and husband, John Kucera of Central City, and Tonia and husband, Brent Hazlitt of McCook; nine great-grandchildren, Tyler, Jaxson, Jazmin, Jillian, Shaylin, Shelbi, Cinamon, Aspen and Tekoa; and a host of family members and friends.

Funeral services were Thursday, January 7, 2010 10:30 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church with Rev. Corey Jenkins officiating. Burial took place in the Culbertson Cemetery.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.