Irene Ripley

Emma Irene Ripley, 91, of rural Independence, Kansas, died Saturday, August 8, 2009 at Windsor Place Nursing Home in Coffeyville, Kansas. She was born October 29, 1917 in Gravette, Arkansas to Henry A. and Viola Jones Lukens. Irene attended school there and then moved to Joplin, Missouri where she worked for Junge Baking Company. She married Orville R. Ripley in 1936 and in 1943 they moved to rural Independence and began farming. They later led separate lives, but she continued living at the farm until the last few years. Irene was employed outside of the farm as co-owner of Ripley Pipe and Supply in Independence, as a clerk at several businesses including Newberrys and for many years at Kamp;S Oil Company in Coffeyville. She attended the Tyro Christian Church; loved her family and friends, cooking, gardening and most of all she enjoyed the outdoors, particularly deer hunting. Survivors include one son: Dennis Ripley of Afton, Oklahoma, grandchildren: Debbie MacDonald of Sugarland, Texas, Allen Ripley of Southlake, Texas, Laura Timmons of Leawood, Kansas and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and two sisters. Funeral services for Emma Irene Ripley will be held at 10:00am Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home in Coffeyville, Kansas. Interment will follow at Fawn Creek Cemetery north of Tyro. Irene will lie in state at the funeral home from 8:00am until 8:00pm on Tuesday, August 11, 2009.