Please send your news item to Jean Borgeson at jeanb@iowatelecom.net
Dec. 19, 2016
Rippey relatives and friends were notified of the death of Ruth (Huber) Dobbins of St. Louis, MO. Notification and article was sent by Robert Huber to be shared with the local folks:
Ruth Marie Huber Dobbins passed away December 11, 2016, in Hospice care in St. Louis, Missouri. Ruth was born May 6, 1954, on her mother’s birthday. She was the daughter of Mary Ella Young Huber and Laurence Huber.
Ruth graduated from East Greene Community Schools in 1972 and from the University of Northern Iowa in 1976. Ruth was married to Jim Dobbins in 1980 and was thrilled and blessed with a daughter, Carole Dobbins, who both survive her today. She is also survived by her brother, Robert Huber, and his wife, Lyn Countryman, of Cedar Falls, and, Roger and Julia Dobbins, of Forth Worth, TX, her brother and sister-in-law, one aunt, three nieces, a nephew, one great nephew, many cousins, and treasured friends.
Ruth taught for several years in religious and private elementary schools and enjoyed to creatively develop curriculum for her students. She especially prided herself in teaching students reading strategies, art techniques, and singing.
Ruth enjoyed knitting in her last years, using her skills to knit bears for the Mother Bear Project for African children. She also knitted a variety of gifts for friends and caregivers. She never lost her love for her rural upbringing and planted and rejoiced in flowers. In her final years she delighted in a small vegetable garden on a raised bed right outside her house.
Ruth suffered symptoms of CREST scleroderma much of her life. Her health declined from complications of a hip fracture causing aspiration pneumonia and later pulmonary hypertension and interstitial lung disease. Ruth’s strong faith and determination helped her beat the odds in living out a longer life due to medical concerns. She was always grateful for great medical care, and especially dedicated nurses and doctors, who were so kind and compassionate in going the extra mile to make her living conditions the best possible.
Ruth was cremated and her final services were held in the St. Louis on December 17th. The Rev. Dale and Nancy Hanaman, and Sterling and Vicki Young, cousins of the Ruth were in attendance.
Rippey public library: Librarian Shawneene Kenan; phone: 515.436.7714; website: www.rippey.lib.ia.us; E-mail: rippeyli@windstream.net. HOURS: Monday 1-6 pm; Tuesday 2-6 pm; Wednesday 3-6 pm; Thursday 2-7 pm; Friday 3-6 pm.
The library will be closed Mondays Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.
“Happy holidays to our community! May you have a blessed Christmas!” ~Shawneene Kenan, library director
Rippey United Methodist Church: PO Box 286, 103 West Main St. Rippey, IA 50235. Pastor: Paul Burrow, Pastor Rosa Soto. Phone: 515-436-7731
Adult Sunday school at 9:30 am; worship at 11 am; THUG youth group at 6 pm. Every Tuesday, quilters at 9 am, coffee and fellowship at 10 am. Every Wednesday, choir practice at 7 pm.
Christmas Eve service – Saturday, Dec. 24, at 8 pm at Rippey. A special offering will be received at All Christmas Eve services that may be designated for fire relief in Tennessee, Bidwell Riverside in Des Moines, or the local food pantry.
Christmas Day, Sunday, Dec. 25 – All morning services at regular times. No evening service at Perry. No THUG.
Piano recital a success – Forty people of the Rippey community attended a piano and violin recital on Thursday evening, Dec. 15. The six students of Janice Johnston demonstrated their musical skills as well as an oratory reading. Parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends gathered at the Rippey Community Room for the event. They were greeted by two of the students who opened the door welcoming guests and distributed the programs.
Each student introduced themselves, telling their age, and a bit about their family. They played traditional Christmas songs such as “Hark the Herald”, “Oh Christmas Tree”, and “Silent Night”. A non-traditional but beautiful and appropriate song was “Happy Birthday, Jesus”. For those who can recall their children’s music lessons, “The Cuckoo”, “Brother John”, and “Chopsticks” were also played, sometimes in a duet with their teacher.
Midge Vannatta played sing-a-long songs at the program conclusion, “Joy to the World” and “Away in the Manager”. All who had gathered joined to sing.
The students under the guidance of Mrs. Johnson had made chocolate crinkle cookies, traditional cut out sugar cookies, ginger cookies, and peanut butter stars. These were served with season punch following the recital.
Janice and her students thanked the Rippey city council for use of the room, the Rippey library for staying open during the evening, the families of Carson Griffith and Judy Lint for piano donation and general support and the Friends of Rippey.
