Marge L. Rippe, age 81 of Glenwood, died surrounded by her family on Friday, March 4, 2016 at the Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 12th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glenwood with Father Joe Vandeberg officiating.  Visitation will be Friday, March 11th at the church, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. with Parish Prayers at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation will also continue on Saturday one hour prior to the service.  Inurnment will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Glenwood.  Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood.

Margaret "Marge" Louise Rippe, the daughter of George and Marie (Keehn) Prieve, was born on May 25, 1934 in Hutchinson, MN. Marge died in a state of Grace on Friday, March 4 ^th at 3:44 P.M. surrounded by her family and Father Joe Vandeberg at Glacial Ridge Healthcare System. She grew up on a dairy farm near Hutchinson and attended St. Anastasia Catholic Church, where she was baptized and confirmed.  She attended country school and graduated from Hutchinson High School. Following graduation, she remained on the family farm to care for her father, brothers and niece. After a time of working in a clothing store in Hutchinson, she saved enough money to enroll in the Nursing Program at Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis. When she completed her training, she was employed there until her marriage to Harold on June 23, 1956 at St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Minneapolis.  They enjoyed their honeymoon on the scenic Northshore and got to work right away on building their life together in Glenwood. A constant, committed wife, she was supportive of Harold's endeavors and his inspiration for fifty-nine years. Marge was a devoted homemaker for twenty years, then she returned to nursing at Glacial Ridge Hospital until her retirement in 1996.  She is especially remembered in the community by many for her compassionate care.

Throughout her life, Marge was an active parishioner of Sacred Heart Catholic Church where she served as a Eucharistic Minister, Minister of Music and St. Stephens-Befrienders Ministry. She also was active in the Bible Study and Christian Mothers groups at her church.   In the community, Marge was the founder of the Glenwood Al-anon group and ministered to many families.

Marge enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening, reading and studying about her Catholic Faith, playing the guitar and singing, dancing to old-time music, sewing and baking or cooking for her family.  She is particularly remembered for her delicious home-cooked meals such as Swedish Meatballs and desserts such as Lemon Merengue Pie. For many years she enjoyed the fun and friendship of the members in the Fifty Year Card Club. Marge also fondly spoke of her friendship with her Soul Sisters.  Being a homemaker was her life's work.  She was a devoted Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother who gave each child her undivided attention and unconditional love.  No matter what faults or mistakes were made, she was always there with open arms.  Marge loved animals, especially her Golden Retriever Pups, of which she and Harold had four.

One of the most interesting facts about Marge was her ability to yodel, which only a person with an innate sense of joy is capable of expressing.  Everything Marge did in her life resonated with an inner peace and joy.  As she went about her homemaking duties she could be found humming or singing.  Occasionally we would hear the expression, "Oh Mercy" when things went wrong, but she was most satisfied with her life.  She gave her husband and children a great sense of security and made our home a happy haven.  Her devout Catholic Faith inspired all of us and was her greatest gift to her entire family.

Marge is survived by her husband of fifty-nine years, Harold Rippe of Glenwood, MN; three sons, Michael (Jean) of Coon Rapids, MN, Steven (Kathy) Woo-Rippe of Lino Lakes, MN and Timothy of Minneapolis, MN; two daughters, Patty (Kirk) Bowman of Cascade, MT and Nancy (Steve) Burtchaell of New Orleans, LA; thirteen grandchildren, Christopher (Summer), Jonathan (Barbara) Fernandes, Nicholas, Benjamin, and Margaret "Maggie" Rippe, Anna and Rachel Bowman, Christian Alston and Conner Woo-Rippe, Patrick and Nicholas Burtchaell and Anders and Samuel Rippe; nine great-grandchildren, Nate, Charlotte, Aislinn and Aiden Rippe, Odin, Erin and William Rippe and Victor and Alyce Fernandes; two brothers, Fred (Jan) and George (Millie) Prieve and many caring nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Marie Prieve; a brother, Don Prieve, two sisters, Mary Hager and Carol Prieve; and her father and mother-in-law, Walter and Cordia Rippe.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.  May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.  Amen