Yvonne Marie Rippinger

YVONNE MARIE. RIPPINGER, age 72, of Aurora, passed away following a courageous two year battle with cancer at Provena Mercy Medical Center in Aurora on Tuesday, December 14, 2010. BORN: She was born February 22, 1938, in Chicago Heights, IL, the daughter of Harold and Mary (DelGatto) Wein. EARLY YEARS:Yvonne grew up in the areas surrounding Chicago Heights and attended local schools. She graduated from Rich Township High School in Park Forest, IL. The family moved to Broadview, IL for a time before settling in La Fox, IL. MARRIAGE: Yvonne met the man she would marry through her church. Yvonne was recuperating from a recent surgery when she caught not only Jim’s attention but his heart. After inquiring about Yvonne, he was informed he would need to receive her mother’s permission. In due time and following a few "motherly conditions" a bond formed between them that could not be broken. They were united in marriage on July 26, 1987, at the North Aurora Seventh-day Adventist Church. RESIDENTIAL HISTORY: After a year or two of marriage, they purchased their present home in Aurora making memories for over twenty years. OCCUPATION / WORK HISTORY:Following high school, Yvonne attended a business school before working with her dad at Harris of Pendleton in Geneva, IL for 32 years. Later she worked for Mooseheart as a clerk for 12 years until her retirement. MEMBERSHIPS: She was a faithful member of the North Aurora Seventh-day Adventist Church. After her retirement she taught herself to play the organ practicing tirelessly for hours everyday until she played flawlessly. She served for many years as the church organist and treasurer. She also was a member of the Women of the Moose International. LIFE NOTES: Yvonne loved to read much to the chagrin of her friends and family who would call out her name only to receive silence in return as she lost herself in her Bible or other various religious texts. She also kept up on the world around her by reading several daily newspapers. When she ventured outside, the color and flight of birds caught her imagination and kept her watching the beauty of God’s creation. She was a wonderful wife and transformed their house into a home, filling it with the warmth of shared memories and fresh baked smells from the kitchen. Her memory lingers in hearts of those who knew her and the sound of her organ still echoes in the lofts of the church. Yvonne life and legacy will never be forgotten. SURVIVORS: She now leaves her husband, Jim;One sister Karen Wein, of Elburn, ILOne brother Howard (Gail) Wein, of Elburn, ILTwo sisters-in-law Pat (Paul) Walker, and Mary Lou Melicher Four nieces, two nephews, ten great nieces and nephews and a family of friends. PRECEDED:She is preceded in death by her parents. VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation will be from 1-3 p.m., Sunday, December 19, 2010 at the North Aurora Seventh-day Adventist Church, 950 Mooseheart Rd., North Aurora, IL. A service to celebrate her life will follow visitation at 3 p.m. Pastor Dan Vis, pastor of the church, will officiate with burial to follow Monday morning, 10 a.m. at Garfield Cemetery, La Fox, IL. MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in her name. Checks may be made to the "Yvonne Rippinger Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be from 1-3 p.m., Sunday, December 19, 2010 at the North Aurora Seventh-day Adventist Church, 950 Mooseheart Rd., North Aurora, IL. A service to celebrate her life will follow visitation at 3 p.m. Pastor Dan Vis, pastor of the church, will officiate.

Burial to follow Monday morning, 10 a.m. at Garfield Cemetery, La Fox, IL.