Peter Ripplinger, 81, of Renton (formerly of Prosser), died on March 2, 2013 in Prosser.
He was born on August 13, 1931 to Christian and Theresa (Wald) Ripplinger in Glencross, South Dakota and was raised and educated in Trail City, S.D. until the family moved to Prosser. He served in the U.S. Army tank division during the Korean War. In 1953, Peter married Marie Sizemore and the couple had six children. He worked for Taggares Farms in Othello and in 1955, moved his family to Minneapolis, Minnesota where they resided until returning to Prosser in 1967. On May 20, 1974 Peter married Bernice Elizabeth Wentz and the couple lived in Astoria, Oregon and Seattle while Peter worked as a manager for Kentucky Fried Chicken. He later worked for Boeing for twenty years and then owned and operated Keppler’s Feed Store in Renton until retiring in 2008.
He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Issaquah, a life member of the Skyway V.F.W. and very active in the Seattle Imperial Drum and Bugle Corps. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, playing cards and watching wrestling. He also loved spending time with his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife of thirty-nine years, Bernice Ripplinger of Renton; six children, John Ripplinger of Prosser, Randy Ripplinger and his wife, Kathy of Prosser, Shelley Pontin and her husband, Larry of Prosser, Richard Ripplinger of Seattle, Roxanne Hastings of Prosser and Mike Ripplinger and his wife, Laura of Prosser; two step-children, Richard Burns and his wife, Mary of Edmonds and Mary Burns (Robinson-Engh) of Renton; fifteen grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers, Andy Ripplinger and his wife, Katie of Spokane and Eugene Ripplinger and his wife, Karen Lee of Virginia; numerous nieces and nephews; very special friends, Bill Debord and family; and special neighbors, Ken and Liz Osborne and family. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and five sisters.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Issaquah. Military Services will be held in Prosser at a later date. The family would like to thank Lower Valley Hospice for the wonderful care they gave Peter. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ronald McDonald House c/o Children’s Hospital in Seattle. You may sign the online guest book and leave a message of condolence for the family at www.prosserfuneralhome.com