Leo Earl Ripka

LEO EARL RIPKA, age 80, died on April 15, 2022 at Thorne Crest Senior Living Community in Albert Lea.

Born on his family’s farm in Dodge County on May 15, 1941, Leo was the son of Anton “Tony” and Alma (Schwenke) Ripka. He attended school in Dodge Center as a young man. Leo was married to Colleen Moore and two children were born to their family before their divorce. In addition to several other jobs, Leo worked for nearly twenty years at Viracon in Owatonna. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and bowling, and he was a former member of the Owatonna Eagle’s Club and the Congregational United Church of Christ in Medford.

Leo is survived by two children, Jayleen (Greg) Cook of Glenville and Dale (Kathy) Ripka of Owatonna; three grandchildren; eight siblings, Arthur (Mary) Ripka, Gladys Mulari, Henry Ripka, Evelyn Neubauer, Shirley (special friend Lou) Ripka, Margaret (Mike) Lerfold, Loretta (David) Wencl, and Loraine Ripka; and many nieces, nephews, and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents; four siblings, Robert Ripka, Larry Ripka, Joyce Weeks, and Anna Finger; two brothers-in-law, Richard Finger and Ron Neubauer; sister-in-law, Marilyn Ripka; and one nephew, Brian Ripka.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 30, 2022 at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Medford. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Interment will follow at Owatonna Memorial Gardens.