Ripper

Lillian Marie Ripper passed away the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022 at St. Mark’s Medical Center in La Grange at the age of 87.

Funeral Services were held on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022 at 1 p.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Schulenburg. Father Scott Hill was the celebrant of the funeral Mass. Prior to the funeral Mass, a Rosary was recited at the church at 12:30 p.m, led by Francis Ripper. Pallbearers were Joseph Urban, Matthew Urban, Milton Urban, Louis Wayne Menis, Ronnie Menis, and Tony McCord. Burial followed at Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Cemetery in Weimar.

Lillian Marie (Menis) Ripper was born Oct. 12, 1934 South of Weimar on a farm. She was born to her parents Louis Menis Sr. and Mary (Kubenka) Menis. She had one brother, Louis T. Menis, who was eight years older than her. At a young age Lillian traveled to a one room schoolhouse on a horse, but occasionally traveled to school in the mailman’s horse and buggy.

She attended Content School, New Bielau School, St. Michael Catholic School and the ninth grade at Weimar High School. Due to her brother getting drafted into WWII, Lillian took on the role of helping her father on the farm. She worked in the fields alongside her parents. After the end of WWII Lillian’s parents purchased an Allis-Chalmers tractor. She continued to use this tractor in her garden until she was in her 60’s. When Lillian was a young girl, her parents bought a farm and moved north of Dubina. Prior to marriage, Lillian worked at Bill’s Place and Hobizal’s Drug Store in Weimar. Lillian and Bernard were united in the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony by Bernard’s Uncle, Father Robert Schmidt on Dec. 29, 1963 at St. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Dubina.

They were blessed with two children, Michael and Michelle. In 1973 Lillian and Bernard and their family moved 2.5 miles East of Schulenburg on Birdhouse-Hill, in the house Bernard built for them. Lillian enjoyed being outdoors, as well as gardening. She was a good cook, as well as good at sewing. One of her children’s fondest memories of their Mother was when they came home from school there was always something good cooking in the kitchen for supper that night. Her children will always remember her dewberry pies, homemade bread, dumpling soup and her homemade fig jelly.

Lillian enjoyed helping others. She frequently took relatives and neighbors to town so they could do their shopping. Lillian was a kind, generous and selfless person. She would have given up anything just to give it to someone else, while not even thinking twice.

Lillian was a wonderful Grandma to her three grandchildren Joseph, Matthew and Amanda Marie. Lillian was always proud of her three grandchildren and of all their accomplishments both big and small. Her face lit up whenever she spoke about her grandchildren to others. Lillian loved dogs, especially her beloved dogs, Molly and Coco.

She is survived by Bernard, her husband of 58 years; her son, Michael Ripper of Schulenburg; her daughter and sonin-law, Michelle and Milton Urban of La Grange; and three grandchildren, Joseph Urban and wife Caitlin, Matthew Urban and Amanda Urban, all of La Grange.

She was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Schulenburg and was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court St. Michael No. 559 Weimar for 61 years.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Mary Menis, and one brother, Louis T. Menis.

Schwenke-Baumgarten Funeral Home was entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Lillian will be dearly missed by her husband, children and grandchildren as well as other family members and friends. “Eternal rest grant unto her O’ Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace.” “And until we meet again, May God hold her in the palm of His hand.”