ELSIE RIPPERTON

Elsie R. Ripperton, of Mora, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the St. Clare Living Community in Mora.  She was 98 years old.

Elsie Rose was born on January 18, 1927, at home in rural Mora, Minnesota to parents Abner and Leona (Larsen) Ammerman.  She walked 4 miles to country school, attending through the 8th grade.  The eldest of eight children, Elsie helped her parents on the farm and took care of her younger siblings.

On January 24, 1945, Elsie was united in marriage to Gordon Clifford Ripperton in Minneapolis.  They settled in the Brook Park area and were blessed with 4 children, Don, Dianne, Roger, and Deb.  Elsie worked on the farm, milked cows, and hauled milk for many years.  She also worked at a nursing home, General Fab in Pine City, and spent many years at Brighter Day in Mora where she taught Daily Life Skills before retiring.  Elsie moved to the Pine Crest apartments in Mora where she enjoyed many activities with her neighbors, especially playing cards and BINGO, which she never missed.  She spent her final year at the St. Clare Living Community in Mora with her family by her side.

Elsie was an active member of the Brook Park United Methodist Church.  She assisted with the youth group and ladies aide and loved a good potluck with food and fellowship.  Her prized fudge and trays of Christmas treats were anticipated by family and friends each year. She enjoyed quilting, embroidering, fishing, and raising and canning from her large garden.  Family was Elsie’s top priority, and she loved to support her family in all their activities.  She had a great love for all of the 5 generations of babies she held in her arms over the years.  Her absence will be felt by all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Gordon, son Roger, stepdaughters, Shirley Ashby, Carol Mills; grandchildren Lisa Kaye, Michelle, Roger Jr.; daughter-in-law Karen Ripperton; sons-in-law, Scott Sutherland and Ron Mayer; siblings: Dorothy Kirschbaum, Howard Ammerman, Della Anderson, and Carol Conley.

She is survived by her children, Don, Dianne Mayer (Allen Billstrom) and Deb Sutherland (Bob Smith);  7 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; 21 great great grandchildren; and 3 great great great grandchildren; stepdaughter LaVonne Ricklefs; 9 step grandchildren and 13 step great grandchildren; siblings, Ellen Hallas, Roy Ammerman, and Larry Ammerman; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at the Mora United Methodist Church with Pastor Dean Roush officiating. 

Memorial Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service at church. 

Inurnment will be in the Brook Park Cemetery.

 A luncheon will follow at the church.

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