Maynard Rippe

Maynard Heinrich John Rippe, 84, of Auburn, NE, passed to his heavenly home with family at his side on Monday, March 15, 2010 at the Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn, Nebraska. He was born on October 30, 1925 near Avoca, NE to John and Elsie (Kirchhoff) Rippe. On May 29, 1947, Maynard married the love of his life, Eva Mae Lingle, and they began their life journey together. Maynard began his career in farming east of Lincoln and later moved to McPherson, KS to work for the Lutheran Brotherhood Life Insurance Company. After transferring with the agency to Auburn, NE in 1962, he began a 27-year career with Carson National Bank, retiring as a vice president. During his retirement years, Maynard enjoyed clerking sales for Bernard Auctioneers and working at the Hemmingsen Funeral Home.

Maynard was a life-long Lutheran with a passion for faithfully serving his church and was very active in the state, district, and local Lutheran Layman's League. He loved his family and friends while devoting considerable time and energy to the community through his involvement in civic organizations, including Auburn Ambassadors, Optimist Club, and the Association of Retarded Children. Maynard also served as a Board member of the Martin Luther Home in Beatrice.

Maynard enjoyed gardening and sharing the fruits of his efforts with family, neighbors, and friends. For decades, he practiced organic gardening before it became popular nationally. His generosity helped feed many families in the Auburn area.

Maynard was preceded in death by his parents from Avoca and brother Raymond of Syracuse. Survivors include wife Eva Mae of Auburn, daughter Beverly Jones of Omaha, daughter Faye Darling and husband Larry of Lincoln, son Dennis Rippe and wife Debbie of Kansas City, MO, and daughter Lisa Rippe of Auburn. Additional survivors include sister Leora Emshoff and husband Wilbert of Omaha, sister Elaine Hennings and husband Merle of Wahoo, brother-in-law John Lingle, Jr. and wife Delores of Otoe, sister-in-law Betty Rippe of Syracuse, grandchildren Duke Jones, Joslyn Allen, Joe Darling, Ryan Darling, Amy McClure, Derek Rippe, Ben Rippe , and eight great- grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Thursday, March 18, 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Auburn. A luncheon will follow in the Fellowship Hall, and graveside committal services will be at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity (Stutheit) Cemetery south of Johnson on Highway 105. Visitation will be at the funeral home Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends 5:00 to 7:00.

Memorials are suggested to the Lutheran Hour Ministries, the Auburn Rescue Squad, or the Trinity Lutheran Church.