Elizabeth “Betty” Ripp

April 25th 1922-December 26th 2023/ age 101

Waunakee

“I shall pass this way but once; therefore, any good or any kindness that I can show, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”

~Etienne de Grellet (Quote kept in Betty’s pocketbook)

Elizabeth (Betty) Ripp, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2023, in Waunakee, WI at the age of 101. She was born on April 25, 1922, in Waunakee, WI, to John Dorn and Agnes (Maly) Dorn of Waunakee.

Betty grew up on a dairy farm in Waunakee and, along with her brothers, was active in 4-H, loved music and dancing, and was a great bowler. She was a graduate of St. John’s Parochial School. Betty met her husband Peter at a dance hall in Springfield Corners and they were married on April 25th, 1945. Peter and Betty raised their five children on their dairy farm on Patton Road, north of Waunakee, for over 40 years.

After the sale of their farm, Betty remained an avid gardener at her home in Waunakee well into her 90s. Betty was a dedicated member of the Waunakee community and spent much of her time volunteering at Waunakee Elementary School, brightening the lives of countless children and educators. She also was an avid volunteer at The Waunakee Manor, at St. John’s Catholic Church, and at polling centers for many years. Betty was active in the lives of her grandchildren, attending countless games, concerts, art and farm shows, and 4-H exhibits, hosting sleepovers and ‘sick days’, and being a daily reminder of love and kindness for her entire family. She was the best euchre partner and loved laughing. It meant the world to her to be able to stay in her home with the support of her neighbors and family.

Betty had wonderful opportunities to travel with the support of her family and travel groups. She loved her travels to Hilton Head, SC, Branson, MO, Washington, DC, Kalamazoo, MI, and to the Northwoods of WI. Two of her favorite trips were going to Nashville for her 75th Birthday with her daughters and to Kentucky and Colorado for her granddaughters’ weddings.

Betty will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by her surviving family members, including her brother Hank Dorn of Waunakee, her children, Karen (John) Loos of Waunakee, Marv (Jane) Ripp of Middleton, Elaine (Don) Kitchin of South Haven, MI, LuAnn (Mark) Miley of Waunakee, and she was predeceased by her son Floyd (Patricia Madden-Ripp) of Columbus. “Grandma Betty” will also be deeply missed by all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Betty was also predeceased by her parents, John Dorn and Agnes (Maly) Dorn, her husband Peter Ripp, and her brothers, Fr. Rupert Dorn and Raymond (Maggie) Dorn.

Betty’s family would like to extend sincere thanks to the entire staff at The Waunakee Manor, especially the nursing and CNA staff members in the assisted living facility and the hospice staff at Agrace who would share stories and kindness with Betty’s family, and St. John’s Catholic Church’s support groups who were a source of strength for her throughout her lifetime.

Memorials may be given in Betty’s honor to St. John’s Catholic Church, Waunakee Public Library, and Agrace Hospice Center.

 Funeral services will be held on Sat. Dec 30, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St John’s Catholic Church 209 South St. Waunakee. Friends may call at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services. Burial will take place in the church cemetery.

Betty's kind heart, warm presence, and passion for helping others will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

                                                      Winn-Cress Funeral Home

                                                                  5785 Hwy Q

                                                                Waunakee, WI