RUSSELL RIPLEY, 79, of Luverne, died Saturday, Aug. 5, 2006.
Born April 17, 1927, in Hardwick, he was the son of Clifford and Katherine Willoughby Ripley. He married Eunice Carlson Jan. 20, 1946, in Bakersfield, Calif.
He received his education in Luverne and following his schooling served in the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1947 as an aviation electrical specialist during World War II. After his time in the service, he settled his family in Worthington. He signed up with the Blue Jays and helped build Thule air base in Greenland. His first business venture, the Ripley Oil Direct Service Truck Stop, was located at the west end of Luverne. The family moved to Luverne where Ripley Oil was later to become RIPCO. It grew to 36 gasoline stations and truck stops located in Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska. Over the next 55 years, his business ventures included his Red Carpet Auto Stores, Go Cart tracks, and Eagle Transportation. He owned and operated a night club in Sioux Falls, S.D., and a Luverne teen center called The Cue. He was also active in buying and selling commercial and residential properties in various areas. At the time of his death, he and Eunice were still operating R&M convenience and gas store in Sioux Falls. In 2005, in South Dakota, RIPCO made the national news as having the cheapest gas in the state.
Surviving is his wife; nine children, Cathy Groth, Plymouth, Robyn (Dennis) Nowka, Luverne, Randy (Judy) Ripley, Luverne, Paulette Ripley, Denver, Colo., Vicky (Ray) Atwood, Sioux Falls, Sally Ripley, St. Paul, Russell Ripley, Cologne, Kim Ripley, Golden Valley, and Lisa (Tom) Lahr, White Butte, S.D.; a brother, Lester (Lucille) Ripley, Luverne; 17 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
HAROLD RUDOLPH "PETE" PETERSEN, 76, of Ruthton, died Saturday, Aug. 5, 2006, at the Pipestone County Medical Center.
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Born Sept. 4, 1929, on the family farm in Hope Township of Lincoln County, he was the son of William and Jennie Hansen Petersen. He married Sonja Amundson June 15, 1957.
He grew up on the farm and attended school in Ruthton through eighth grade, then went to West Central School of Ag in Morris for three years. After graduating in 1947, he worked on a farm near Ihlen, returning to the family farm to work a year later. He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1951 and was stationed in San Antonio and Wichita Falls, Texas, Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois, Moses Lake, Washington, Japan and Iwa Jima. He was discharged in 1955 and returned to purchase the farm from his family. After marriage, the couple resided on the farm. He was a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Ruthton, where he served on the church council. After becoming a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Ruthton, he served on the church council. He served on the Ruthton School Board for nine years and was president for seven. He was a member of the Woodrow Wilson American Legion Post 506 in Ruthton, where he served as commander.
Surviving is his wife; three children, Kris Petersen, St. Louis Park, David Petersen, Sioux Falls, S.D., and Paul (Alyssa) Petersen, Sioux Falls; and two granddaughters.
Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Hartquist Funeral Chapel, Pipestone.
The service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Peace Lutheran Church, Ruthton. Burial will be in the Ruthton City Cemetery.
MARIE KIRCHNER, 90, of Fulda, died Sunday, Aug. 6, 2006, at the Our House Hospice Home in Slayton.
Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, with a 4:30 rosary service and a 7:30 p.m. prayer service, at the Totzke Funeral Home, Fulda, and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Gabriel's Catholic Church, Fulda.
The service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Gabriel's Catholic Church.
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Totzke Funeral Home, Fulda, is in charge of the arrangements.
DOMINIC SCHEIDT, 88, of Luverne, died Saturday, Aug. 5, 2006, at the Mary Jane Brown Home, Luverne.
Visitation will be 2:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at St. Catherine Catholic Church, Luverne, with a rosary service at 7 p.m., and 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Catherine Catholic Church.
The service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Catherine Catholic Church, with the Rev. Thomas Jennings officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.
Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne, is in charge of the arrangements.
MARY WINKEL, 89, of George, Iowa, died Friday, Aug. 4, 2006, in Austin.
Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Bolin Funeral Service, George.
The service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Tabernacle Baptist Church, George, with the Rev. Bryan Anderson officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Lawn Cemetery, George.
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JOSEPH COSTA, 77, of Worthington, died Saturday, Aug. 5, 2006, at the Crossroads Care Center, Worthington.
Arrangements are pending with Dingmann Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Worthington.
OSCAR BAERENWALD, 93, of Sheldon, died Saturday, Aug. 5, 2006, at the Northwest Iowa Health Center, Senior Care, Sheldon.
Visitation will be after 4 p.m. today, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m., at Vander Ploeg Funeral Home, Sheldon.
The service will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Sheldon, with Brian Lagerstam officiating. Burial will be in East Lawn Cemetery, Sheldon.
