Francis Ripplinger

Our beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather, Francis Delano Ripplinger passed away peacefully in his home on February 25, 2018 at the age of 83 wonderful years. He was born April 21, 1934 to Carl and Alena Ripplinger in Driggs, Idaho.  Shortly after his birth, his family moved back out to the ranch in Bates, with one of the best views of Teton Valley.  He has lived in this beautiful place ever since.  He grew up raising cattle and working on the farm.  He graduated from Teton High School and attended Ricks College for a year and a half.  He served a full time LDS mission to the Hawaii Honolulu mission.

He met the love of his life, LaRue Webster, on Christmas Day in 1959 and they were married for time and all eternity on August 5, 1960 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple.  They have always loved to dance and have danced their way together through a beautiful, fun and crazy life.  Their single greatest passion in life was spending quality time with family.

He taught his family how to work hard and play hard.  Feeding cattle, moving pipe and farming was done as a family and he patiently taught his kids to work together and to work hard. He could fix or build just about anything. He would go to every one of the kids drill team performances and sporting events. He also attended many of the different activities his grandchildren participated in. Francis loved his family and loved the outdoors.  He loved to snowmobile and ride four-wheelers. He passed that love and adventurous spirit to his children, their spouses, and grandchildren. He loved holidays, Christmas being his favorite. He loved to make it magical!  His last Christmas was one surrounded by family and fun.

He delighted in serving others, including various callings for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  He served in the Bishopric, as scout master, a dance instructor, a food storage specialist, and an awesome Sunday School teacher.

He is survived by his wife LaRue, children Lori (Bruce) Schiess, K’Lyn (Guy) Haskell, Shawna (Gary) Cole, and Greg (Erin) Ripplinger, 15 grandchildren (including 8 married grandchildren, soon-to-be-10), his 10 great grandchildren (with 2 more on the way), his many nieces and nephews, extended family and friends, his siblings Phyllis Knutson, Cecil Olsen, Lawrence (Larry &  Kay) Ripplinger and sister-in-law Helen Ripplinger.   He is preceded in death by his parents Carl and Alena, his siblings Alta, Raymond, Weston, in-laws Mark and Donna Webster, sister and brother-in-law Milt and LuAnn Webster, and other family members.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 3, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at the Driggs LDS Stake Center.  The family will receive friends and neighbors Friday from 6 to 8 pm and on Saturday at 12:00 p.m.at the Stake Center prior to the service.  Interment will be in the Bates Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.valleymortuarydriggs.com