Kenneth Earl Ripple

Dr. Kenneth Ripple, age 85 of Oxford, Wisconsin passed peacefully Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at St. Clare Meadows in Baraboo, Wisconsin in the presence of loved ones and his pastor. His health struggles are over and he has now joined the tenor section in the choir of angels we all hope to hear one day.

Memorial funeral services will be held Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 3:00 P.M. at the Oxford Funeral Home in Oxford with Pastor Brenda Pulver officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Saturday from 1 P.M. until the time of service at 3 P.M.

Kenn was born June 5, 1927 in Kansas City, Missouri the son of Anthony and Martha (Miller) Ripple. He left high school when he was 16 to join the armed services (he didn’t claim to be 16.) He became a member of the Sea Bees during World War 2 and survived some horrific battles. He would only share the humorous stories he had been a part of afterwards. Ultimately he ended up giving more to education than anyone would expect. After getting his GED he would acquire a Bachelor’s degree, a Master’s degree and a Doctorate of Education. He met his beautiful wife, Betty Davies, in the church choir in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and they married on August 27, 1949 in Randolph, Wisconsin. Their 63 year marriage was steadfast and true to the end…’til death do us part.

Kenn was a teacher, principal and administrator in several school districts including Adams-Friendship, Hartland, Kimberly, Black Earth where he built the Wisconsin Heights High School, Superior and Greeley, Colorado. From there he and his 3 sons built a beautiful home in Oxford on his wife’s grandmother’s land. He was a professor of Education at SIU/Southern Illinois University for 5 years while his wife and children remained in Oxford. He took a position as the Westfield District Administrator where he would receive the State Superintendent of the Year Award for his services to youth and families. He retired in 1989. Kenn and his wife, Betty, put all 5 of their children through college, always believing in education and the strength and value of knowledge.

Kenn is survived by his wife, Betty; 5 children, Warren (Judy) Ripple of North Canton, Ohio; David (Sarah) Ripple of Madison, Wisconsin; Jon (Tammy) Ripple of Sheboygan, Wisconsin; Wendy (Bob) Jobe of Baraboo and Cyndi Neeb (Scott Turner) of Montello, Wisconsin. Further survived by 18 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He will be greatly missed and so greatly remembered by all.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Oxford Presbyterian Church.