Clarence Ripka

Clarence J. Ripka, age 91 of Sauk Centre, died peacefully on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at St. Michael's Nursing Home in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, December 3 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Todd Schneider officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Military Honors provided by the Sauk Centre United Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church in Sauk Centre.

Clarence John Ripka was born August 10, 1921 in Getty Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Emil and Josephine (Spathe) Ripka. Clarence enlisted in the United States Army in 1942 and was honorably discharged in 1946. On June 20, 1950 he was united in marriage to Dorothy Gerads at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. The couple made their home in Sauk Centre where they have lived at their current address for 61 years. Clarence worked at R.J. Malloy Company for 40 years.

He was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre, Sauk Centre Senior Citizens, and Paul F. Donart VFW Post 2853. Clarence loved to fish and hunt. He was an avid reader. Clarence loved to see and visit his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy; children, Michael (Kathy) Ripka of Brooklyn Center, Dick (Sharon) Ripka of Sauk Centre, and Mary (Mike) Kalina of Alexandria; six grandchildren, Anne (Rob) Payment, James Ripka, Elizabeth Ripka, Jennifer Ripka, Angie (Robbie) Betterman, and Jessie (Nate) Hjelle; nine great-grandchildren, Mikayla, Jacob, Megan, James, Gavin, Breck, Ellie, Josie, Sophie, and Baby Boy Betterman on the way; brother, Donald (Verona) Ripka of Sauk Centre; and brother-in-law, Daniel (Carol) Gerads of Upsala.

Clarence was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Josephine Ripka; and brother, Ervin Ripka.

Serving as casket bearers will be his grandchildren, Anne Payment, James Ripka, Elizabeth Ripka, Jennifer Ripka, Angie Betterman, and Jessie Hjelle. Cross bearer will be Ellie Betterman and scripture bearer will be Mikayla Payment.