Delynn Rippe

DeLynn Delbert Rippe, one of nine children of Herman and Laura (Lohaus) Rippe, was born on the family farm south of Johnson, Nebraska on June 16, 1936. He was baptized at home July 5, 1936 by Rev. W.R. Freuhling and confirmed April 2, 1950 at Martin Luther Lutheran Church by Rev. Freuhling. DeLynn attended Dewey School near his home and graduated from Johnson High School in 1954.

On February 16, 1958 DeLynn was united in marriage to Phyllis Shanks at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Auburn, Nebraska. They made their home on the farm where DeLynn was born, and were blessed with four children: Alan, Loyal, Carla, and Denise.

DeLynn loved his family and many friends, he was never too busy to lend a hand and offer support. Farming and cattle were his and his wife Phyllis’s livelihood, and a passion of DeLynn’s from an early age. For a time, he served on the Farmers Home Administration Board, and for 20+ years he sold Pioneer Seed to other local farmers.

As a lifelong member of Martin Luther Church, DeLynn had served on the church council and belonged to Lutheran Brotherhood. DeLynn had many interests, when he wasn’t attending family functions he was playing cards, hunting deer, “coffeeing” in Elk Creek and Auburn, and helping Phyllis in the garden. In his later years he became a fan of watching football and basketball on television. Of all his interests, however, family always came first. He seldom missed a birthday party in the family, or school activities that included his kids and, later, his grandkids.

On the evening of Tuesday, April 7, 2015, DeLynn was rushed to the Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn. It was there he passed away at the age of 78 years, 9 months, and 22 days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his infant granddaughter Lacy April, sisters and brothers-in-law Wilma and Eddie Speckmann, Elzada and Mervin Schneider; brothers and sisters-in-law Enus and Alice Rippe, Wilbert and Lucille Rippe, Herschell Rippe, Eldor Rippe; infant brother Herman Rippe, Jr.; and brother-in-law Lindall Gerdes.

Those who will always remember DeLynn include his wife Phyllis of Johnson; sons Alan and wife Kelly Rippe of Syracuse; Loyal and wife Beth Rippe of Johnson; daughters Carla Belisle and special friend Tom Bellendir of Ft. Collins, CO; Denise and husband Robert McGinley of Bruning; grandchildren Blake and wife Ashley Rippe; Maura Rippe and fiancé Bryan Hillman; Chrystine Rippe; Alyssa Rippe; Keith Fischer; Kayla Fischer and fiancé Nate Neemann; Sarah Belisle and special friend Eric Dickson; Ryan Belisle; Justin McGinley; Derek McGinley; Jacob McGinley and fiancée Alex Kluna; great-granddaughter Anya Belisle-Dickson; sister Iva Dell and husband Larry Bohlken of Auburn; sister-in-law Edus Rippe of Auburn; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

A funeral service will be Saturday, April 11, 11:00 a.m. at Martin Luther Lutheran Church south of Johnson. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home in Auburn Friday 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends 6:00 to 8:00.