Constance "Connie" Ripp

Constance “Connie” Ripp, age 84, of Waunakee, passed away peacefully on December 26,2024 at UnityPoint Meriter Hospital. She was born November 30,1940 in Madison, WI the daughter of Patrick “Joe” and Dorothy Kelliher. She married Robert “Bob” Ripp on November 19 1963 at St James Catholic Church in the Town of Vermont, WI. Connie grew up on a farm outside of Mt. Horeb where she learned her hard work ethic. She graduated from Mt Horeb HS and then moved into an apartment in Madison while working as a secretary at Truax Field. She wandered into Ripp’s Bar with friends one night where she would meet, and later marry the owner, Bob. After they married, she worked alongside Bob running the bar for 20 years. They raised their older three kids in Waunakee before they decided to move to a warmer climate in Seminole, Florida with their youngest child where they resided for over 20 years before returning to Waunakee in 2019.

Connie worked several other jobs over the years as she was not one to sit idle.

Connie loved to play cards, especially euchre. She was quite competitive and usually won. Luck of the Irish! Over the years she was in card clubs and bowling leagues with friends. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren when traveling back to Wisconsin during the summers and the family spring breaks in Florida. Connie was very proud of her Irish ancestry and celebrated St Patrick’s Day, well, year round! She was thrilled to have been able to visit Ireland in her lifetime. She also enjoyed crocheting, shopping and watching the Golden Girls. She loved being able to take family trips out west to see her sisters and Florida to visit friends and travel out of state for the weddings of nieces and nephews.

Connie is survived by her husband of 61 years, Bob, daughters Suann Ripp and Kelly (Brian) Statz, sons Rodd (Shelley Murphy) and Jay; grandchildren Taylor Balistreri, Nicole (Zach) Witt, Casey, Brady, and Jadyn Statz, Jonna (Jacob)Jankowski, Cole Ripp, Lucas and Ryan Ripp; great grandchildren Kayson McCosky, Blakely, Ruby, and Hunter Witt, and Jaeda Jankowski. She is further survived by her siblings Kathie Hutchison, Beth Ann McMahan, and Dennis Kelliher along with sisters-in-law Marilyn Heimbecker, Paulyn Ripp, Mary Jo (Ron) Mohr, Lora (Mike) Restle, Joycelyn (Toni) Ripp and Eileen Ripp, brother-in-law Jim Acker, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by infant grandchildren Lucas Ripp and Alexis Ripp, brothers Larry and Keven Kelliher, brothers- in-law Jerry, Eugene, and Roy Ripp, Leo Heimbecker, sisters-in-law Ruth Ripp, Letty Acker, Jean Ripp and several nephews and a niece.

Funeral services will be held on Sat. Jan. 4,2025 at 11:00 a.m. at St John’s Catholic Church 209 South St Waunakee. Friends may call at the Winn-Cress Funeral Home on Friday, Jan. 3,2025 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friends may also call at the church on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services. Burial will take place in the church cemetery.

The family extends their deepest gratitude to the staff at Homestead Living in Waunakee for their excellent care and kindness over the past 3 years. We would also like to thank the staff at UnityPoint Meriter hospital for their compassionate care during her brief stay over the holidays.

Connie’s smile, kindness, and sense of humor will be deeply missed. Mom, may your Irish eyes be smiling.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com

Winn-Cress Funeral home

 5785 Hwy Q

 Waunakee, WI