Debra Jean Riplinger (Johnston), 63, the dearly beloved wife of Jeffrey, lost her long valiant battle with breast cancer on July 4th, 2015. Debra was born in La Crosse to Gerald and Josephine Johnston. She attended Aquinas and Central High schools, graduating from Central in 1970. After high school, she worked at the La Crosse Telephone Company. In 1972 she married Jeffrey Lee Riplinger. The couple lived in La Crosse for a time, then Davenport Iowa, then St. Louis, and back to Davenport. In 1989 they moved to Germany where lived in Zweibruecken, Kleinottweiler, and Winnweiller. In 2003 they returned to the USA and lived in the Washington DC suburbs. Debra also worked for Denny’s restaurant, Worth’s Clothing, the Veterans Administration, and finally Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS). Debra retired in 2009 after 30 years working for the Federal Government. Debra was an expert snow skier and served as the secretary of the West Pfalz Ski Club for over 12 years. Debra and Jeffrey enjoyed skiing all over America and in most of the larger European resorts. For the last six years Debra worked winters as a ski instructor in St. Johann Austria. Debra was very proud to have been certified as an Austrian ski instructor and wore her license around her neck all winter. Debra was also an avid motorcyclist proudly riding her beloved Harley Sportster just behind Jeffrey. For the last four years Debra and Jeffrey traveled the country in their motorhome, and explored the back roads of places like Sturgis on their Harleys. Debra will be deeply missed by her loving husband Jeffrey, her mother Josephine of La Crosse, brother Ted Johnston (Jeanne) of La Crosse, sisters Carol (Dave) Schatzley, Diane (Norm) Dippel of La Crosse, and Shari (Paul) Motyalinski of Batavia Illinois. Debra was preceded in death by her father Gerald, and her treasured dog Sasha.
After being treated for cancer the second time, Debra wrote “There are a few things Debby wished she had done and of course a few she wished she hadn’t done. But what a wonderful life she had. I led the complete life. I don’t think I could ever look back and say, “what if” I did it to the max, and I did it brilliantly. And, I did it on my terms.”
We survivors take comfort in the thought that Debra lived a full and adventurous life of joy and happiness.
May God hold her and keep her until we can be together again.
A memorial service will be held on Friday 17 July at 5 pm at the La Crosse north side Presbyterian Church. A social gathering will follow at the Pettibone Campground West Channel shelter.
Jeff You are in my thoughts and prayers. Debby and I and my twin sister Patty were good friends when we were in grade school. I remember playing at her home and also her coming over to our house to play. We would have great times going to the pool during the summer. She was a great person and friend. I always looked forward to talking to her at our class reunions. Again you and Debbies family are in my thoughts and prayers. Stay strong. Peggy Clements Arentz
It was fun to go on the Coulée Cruise with you and Debby last reunion. The motorcycles, Skiing, and the travel sounded like a wonderful retirement. I am sorry for your loss.
Deb and you are family. Yes, I will miss that smile that she away meet me with. The many times that we played in her back yard or down at the cottage. I will miss her.
Jeff Riplinger
Debra Jean Riplinger (Johnston), 63, the dearly beloved wife of Jeffrey, lost her long valiant battle with breast cancer on July 4th, 2015. Debra was born in La Crosse to Gerald and Josephine Johnston. She attended Aquinas and Central High schools, graduating from Central in 1970. After high school, she worked at the La Crosse Telephone Company. In 1972 she married Jeffrey Lee Riplinger. The couple lived in La Crosse for a time, then Davenport Iowa, then St. Louis, and back to Davenport. In 1989 they moved to Germany where lived in Zweibruecken, Kleinottweiler, and Winnweiller. In 2003 they returned to the USA and lived in the Washington DC suburbs. Debra also worked for Denny’s restaurant, Worth’s Clothing, the Veterans Administration, and finally Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS). Debra retired in 2009 after 30 years working for the Federal Government. Debra was an expert snow skier and served as the secretary of the West Pfalz Ski Club for over 12 years. Debra and Jeffrey enjoyed skiing all over America and in most of the larger European resorts. For the last six years Debra worked winters as a ski instructor in St. Johann Austria. Debra was very proud to have been certified as an Austrian ski instructor and wore her license around her neck all winter. Debra was also an avid motorcyclist proudly riding her beloved Harley Sportster just behind Jeffrey. For the last four years Debra and Jeffrey traveled the country in their motorhome, and explored the back roads of places like Sturgis on their Harleys. Debra will be deeply missed by her loving husband Jeffrey, her mother Josephine of La Crosse, brother Ted Johnston (Jeanne) of La Crosse, sisters Carol (Dave) Schatzley, Diane (Norm) Dippel of La Crosse, and Shari (Paul) Motyalinski of Batavia Illinois. Debra was preceded in death by her father Gerald, and her treasured dog Sasha.
After being treated for cancer the second time, Debra wrote “There are a few things Debby wished she had done and of course a few she wished she hadn’t done. But what a wonderful life she had. I led the complete life. I don’t think I could ever look back and say, “what if” I did it to the max, and I did it brilliantly. And, I did it on my terms.”
We survivors take comfort in the thought that Debra lived a full and adventurous life of joy and happiness.
May God hold her and keep her until we can be together again.
A memorial service will be held on Friday 17 July at 5 pm at the La Crosse north side Presbyterian Church. A social gathering will follow at the Pettibone Campground West Channel shelter.
Kim Blanchard (Welscher)
Dear Jeff: So sorry to hear about Debby. You're in my thoughts and prayers at this time.
Kim Welscher
Steven Wright
Jeff always a hard road to ride be strong. SteveSusan M Coleman (Sleik)
Jeff,
I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers.
Sue Sleik
Peggy Clements (Arentz)
Jeff You are in my thoughts and prayers. Debby and I and my twin sister Patty were good friends when we were in grade school. I remember playing at her home and also her coming over to our house to play. We would have great times going to the pool during the summer. She was a great person and friend. I always looked forward to talking to her at our class reunions. Again you and Debbies family are in my thoughts and prayers. Stay strong. Peggy Clements Arentz
Richard Mitchell
Jeff:
It was fun to go on the Coulée Cruise with you and Debby last reunion. The motorcycles, Skiing, and the travel sounded like a wonderful retirement. I am sorry for your loss.
Jeff Riplinger
Thanks for the kind words.
Larry Jiracek
Jeff
Deb and you are family. Yes, I will miss that smile that she away meet me with. The many times that we played in her back yard or down at the cottage. I will miss her.
Larry