Helen Irene Rippentrop

Helen Irene Rippentrop, 89, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota passed from this life on September 2, 2025. Visitation will take place from 5:00-7:00 pm, Sunday, September 7, 2025 at Jarman Family Funeral Home in Lennox. Her funeral will be held at 1:00 pm, Monday, September 8, 2025 at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Sioux Falls. Helen Irene Ovre was born June 6, 1936 to Clarence and Alma (Goodsell) Ovre on a farm south of Canton. She attended rural school there, until the spring of 1949, when the family moved to a farm south of Lennox. When she was fourteen, she accepted the Lord as her Savior and was baptized in the Calvary Baptist Church in Lennox. Helen graduated from Lennox High School in 1955; from there she went to Northern State Teachers College, and then taught rural school. In 1957 she married Eilert I. Rippentrop. They lived northeast of Lennox until 1964 when they moved back to the family farm south of Lennox. During this time, they had three children. Helen worked at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Lennox for nine years as a nurse’s aide. She also taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for years. In 1982 they moved to Sioux Falls. Helen then worked at Citibank for thirteen years, winning many perfect attendance awards and earning the Employee of the Month award. She was also a delegate to the Union Gospel Mission Lamplighters. Later in life, she enjoyed traveling to all the western states and wintering in Florida for 10 years. She started a doll collection that finally totaled 60 dolls. Music was a big part of her life. She sang for years with her family, plus she sang solos, duets, and trios with others. Helen also played the organ at the Emmanuel Baptist Church later in life. Eilert passed away on May 7, 2007. Then on July 14, 2012 she married Russel Peters. Afterwards, they moved to a condo by a pond, which allowed them many enjoyable hours to watch the geese and ducks in the area. During their marriage, they attended many concerts, traveled, and wintered in Florida. Russel passed away April 7, 2024. Helen was a member of the Emmanuel Baptist Church. Besides her parents, Helen was preceded in death by one brother, Clair (Wilsie) Ovre, two sisters, Darlene (Leo) McChesney and Shirley (Albert) Walker, and three nephews. She is survived by her three children: David (Maria) Rippentrop, Daniel Paul (Peggy) Rippentrop, and Beth Rippentrop; three grandsons: Jonathan, Justin, and Josiah Rippentrop; three great grandchildren: Jocelynne, Jaiden, and Nova Rippentrop; two stepchildren: Arland (Penny) Peters and Norine (Jeffrey) Strobel; and two step grandchildren: Carolyn Wohlberg and Peter Strobel; nieces and nephews, and many other relatives and friends.

Helen Irene Rippentrop

June 6, 1936 - September 2, 2025

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