Donald V. Ripplinger

Donald V. Ripplinger, 70 of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at his home in the loving care of his family and Altru Hospice after battling cancer for over 6 years.  Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, October 30, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with the Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 4:00 p.m. Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass.  The Scripture Service will be led by Deacon Ken Severinson with the Rosary led by the Knights of Columbus and 4th Degree Knights Honor Guard.  Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post # 756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team.  Donald Victor Ripplinger was born December 28, 1946 at Rugby, ND the son of John and Marie (Gisi) Ripplinger. He attended elementary school in a two room school in Harlow and graduated from Leeds High School in 1964.  In 1966, Don graduated from North Dakota State School of Science with an AA degree in Pre-Commerce.  In 1968, he graduated from Mayville State College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education. Don was united in marriage to Connie Lou Beaman on September 1, 1973 at St. Matthews Catholic Church, Hillsboro, Oregon. They established their home in Devils Lake where they lived, worked and raised their family.  In the fall of 1968, Don entered the United States Marine Corp, completed officer training and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant at Quantico, Virginia.  After completing his military training, he was sent to Southeast Asia to participate in the Vietnam Conflict where he was stationed in the 1st Corps area near the DMZ.  He was retrograded with his unit to Iwakuni, Japan as the unit motor officer.  Upon returning to the United States, he was assigned to Marine Corps Base at Twenty-Nine Palms, California.  He was honorably released from the Marine Corps in 1971 and returned to North Dakota.  Don joined the North Dakota Army National Guard and served as a company commander and battalion staff officer.  In 1975 he transferred to the US Army Reserves where he served with the 1st, 4th, and 9th Divisions at different intervals.  In 1991, he was reassigned to the North Dakota Division of Emergency Management as a liaison officer.  In 1995, he transferred to the 9th Theater Army Area Command (TAACOM), US Army Japan as a logistical officer.  In the late 1990’s, he made several trips to Japan for the 9th TAACOM.  During his military career, he graduated from several military schools, including the Ordnance Advanced School, the Army Logistic Management College and the US Army Command and General Staff College.  After 28 years of military service, he retired from the US Army Reserve in April of 2000 with the rank of Lt. Colonel.  Don was a member of the American Legion and a life member of the VFW.  In his civilian career, Don worked for Job Service North Dakota at the Devils Lake District Office beginning in September of 1971 and retired 35 years later. For six years Don did job development, implemented government contracts to aid veterans and assisted clients utilizing employment programs.  Starting in 1977, he represented the North Dakota Unemployment Insurance Tax Program as the customer service consultant (tax representative) for the Lake Region area covering 8 counties.  This involved representing the State in hearings, appeals, and court proceedings.  He audited employer and employee business records, and presented annual unemployment insurance workshops in Devils Lake, Bottineau, Minot and Grand Forks.  Don was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Devils Lake for over 40 years. He was a 3rd and 4th Degree Knight of Columbus.  Don was a past Grand Knight of the 3rd Degree Council and a Past Faithful Navigator of the 4th Degree Assembly.  He served on the KC Seminarian Scholarship Committee for 14 years, and was chairman of that program for 5 years.  Don enjoyed traveling both in the United States and overseas. He loved vacations with his family when his sons were young and later on in life with his sons, their wives and the grandkids.  Don usually had a “project” in progress as he liked to design and construct decks and buildings.  His biggest accomplishment was building the family cabin near Six Mile Bay.  Don also enjoyed completing a “Bunk House” for the grandchildren and constructing a Tiny House on the family farm.  He liked spending time at the lake and at his family farm.  His greatest joy was interacting with his seven grandchildren who helped keep him young.  Survivors include his spouse Connie, sons Gary and Lisa (Pederson) Ripplinger of Mapleton, ND and their children Evan and Erin; David and Traci (Stave) Ripplinger of West Fargo, ND and their children Katherine “Katie”, Thomas “Tommy”, Michael, Teresa “Tessie” and Caroline Frances “Carly”; mother-in-law Frances Beaman, Forest Grove, Oregon. Donald was preceded in death by his parents and brother Edward Ripplinger. In lieu of flowers, take someone you love to a movie.Casket Bearers will be members of the Knights of Columbus.  Music will be provided by Peter A. Hager and JoDee Lagein.