BOONE, Iowa—Norma Elaine Ripkey, 86, of Boone, Iowa, passed away at Westhaven Community in Boone on Friday, September 13, 2024. She had been a resident of Westhaven Community since May 2023.
She was born on November 26, 1937, in Mahaska County, Iowa, the daughter of Thomas Anthony Fridlington and Daisy Belle (Musgrove) Fridlington. Norma was a graduate of Melcher-Dallas High School and then graduated from Iowa Teachers College in Cedar Falls, and had an associate degree in Nursing Home Administration.
She was married twice in her lifetime. First to her college sweetheart, John Ripkey, for 25 years, with whom she had five beautiful children. Later in life, she married Vernon Matthews of Hudson, SD, where she fulfilled her dream of tending a large garden and country home, reminiscent of her upbringing in rural Iowa, where her dad was a farmer. She was preceded in death by both former spouses.
Norma enjoyed traveling extensively during her years. She visited Europe to seek out distant family in England, on mission trips in France and Mexico, and vacations to Hawaii, Alaska, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, and all over the United States and Canada.
She also enjoyed several hobbies and was quite talented. She enjoyed quilting for family members and others and the social aspects of the quilting community. Sewing has been a lifelong skill that served her and her family for decades. She enjoyed being a homemaker and volunteer while her children were young and transitioned to working outside the home once they were in school. She was also a Master Gardener, a certified Nursing Home Administrator serving at Ledges Manor in Boone, and a designer and decorator.
One of her simpler pleasures was driving through Ledges looking for deer and wildlife while eating ice cream.
The United Methodist Church was prominent in her social life and career. She worked and was a member for a number of her years both in Boone and Champaign, Illinois. She also enjoyed attending the First Presbyterian Church in Boone.
Norma was dedicated to her church and family throughout her life. She lived in many places and created many friendships along the way. Norma was admired by her children who watched her triumph over the many hardships she encountered in life.
She is survived by her sons: John Mark Ripkey of Portland, OR, Bradley James Ripkey of St. Petersburg, FL, and Steven Anthony Ripkey of Center Sandwich, NH; daughters, Elisabeth Ann Morgan of Boone, IA, and Rebecca Sue Fraetis of Boone, IA; 10 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and aunt, Frieda De Haai.
Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home in Boone. Memorial services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at the First Presbyterian Church in Boone.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the family to be used towards charitable organizations in Norma’s memory.
Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 609 7th Street, Boone is assisting the family with these arrangements.
Norman Ripkey, 86, Boone, Iowa
