Martha Rippen

Martha Matilda Rippen , 95, of Omaha passed away on March 5, 2011 at Omaha.

Martha was born on November 6, 1915, at Upland, NE, the fourth of five children of Karl and Martha (Hogeland) Schafer, graduating from Upland High School in 1932. She was united in marriage to Lester L. Rippen on July 4, 1941, happily welcoming Lester's two children. Two children were later born to the couple. They resided in Denver, CO, until 1945 when they moved to McCook, NE, leaving there in 1947 after the tire store which they had purchased with Lester's brother burned. Settling in Gothenburg, they remained there for the remainder of their life together.

Martha was a member of the United Methodist Women, holding several offices through the years, as well as belonging to a women's circle. She was a Cub Scout leader for several years and enjoyed assisting with Brownies, Girl Scouts, and 4H activities as her children grew up. She enjoyed quilting and joined the Methodist women's quilting group. She liked to garden, quilt, sew, embroider, and cook.

After her vision was affected by macular degeneration, she missed being able to do those things, but was able to enjoy talking books. She lived on her own until she was 89, when she went to Omaha to live with her daughter and son-in-law.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents, Martha and Karl Schafer, her husband, Lester Rippen, step-son Ray Rippen, step-daughter Winona (Rippen) Swift, sons-in-law Bob Swift and Daniel Westfall, sisters and brothers-in-law Irene Boyer and husband L.D., and Ella Mae Blackburn and husband, Owen, and brothers and sisters-in-law Meryle and Ruth Schafer and Walter and Elva Schafer.

She is survived by her daughter Lois Westfall of Omaha, son and daughter-in-law Roger and Shelley Rippen of Olathe, KS, 14 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Many nieces and nephews also survive.