Darnell Ripke

Darnell Ripke, 84, of Storm Lake died Sept. 9, 2026, at Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake.

Funeral services will take place Saturday, Sept. 19, at 10 a.m. at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Newell. Burial will be at Newell Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday, Sept. 18, from 5-7 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake.

Darnell Sharon Pedersen Ripke was born on May 23, 1942, in Atlantic the daughter of Herluf and Vivian (Skibsted) Pedersen.

On June 13, 1942, Darnell was baptized at the Danish Lutheran Church in Kimballton. She was later confirmed on April 29, 1956, at Nain Lutheran Church in Newell.

Darnell graduated from Newell Community School in 1960. During her high school years, she was active in many school activities. She was named homecoming queen, sang in the school and church choirs, and was a member of Future Homemakers of America. She also served as the school librarian, played basketball and was a class officer for three years.

On Dec. 3, 1961, Darnell was united in marriage to Willis Ripke at Nain Lutheran Church in Newell. Together, they were blessed with five children: Barbara, Bradley, David, Curtis and Karla.

Following high school, Darnell worked for the phone company in Storm Lake. After her children were born, she cherished her time at home caring for and raising her family. Once her children were grown, Darnell returned to the workforce. Over the years, she worked at the Newell Mirror, BV Journal and Sears Mini-mart, and served as the bookkeeper for Ripke Construction.

Darnell was a longtime member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Newell. She was involved in Ladies Aid, served as the church secretary and taught Sunday School.

Above all, family was the most important thing to Darnell. She often said, and made sure everyone knew, that her children were her life. She treasured her grandchildren and great-grandchildren just as deeply, and family always came first.

Darnell enjoyed playing cards with her card club family. She also enjoyed spending time at Cutty’s in Okoboji and traveling to Branson, Mo., and Texas. She treasured the time spent with family and friends and the memories made along the way.

Darnell will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her, but her love for her family and the memories she created with them will remain in their hearts forever.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children: Brad (Beth) Ripke of Newell; David Ripke of Kenosha, Wis.; Curt (Sandy) Ripke of Menomonee Falls, Wis.; Karla (Jack) Vanderhoff of Newell; grandchildren: BJ (Rachel) Nieland, Belinda Smith (John Petersen), Jason (Heather) Ripke, Derek (Shawna) Ripke, Sara (Jeremy) Croghan, Courtney Whitmore, Andrea Whitmore, Cara (Brian) Rehm, David (Hailee) Ripke, Rachel Ripke, Nick Ripke, Austin (Andrea) Vanderhoff, Alex (Kayla) Vanderhoff,and Paige (Andrew) Pickhinke; great-grandchildren: Benson, Vivian, Willis and Amos Nieland; Cody and Brody Rehm; Ethan (Emma) Johnson; Emmi and Brookelyn Johnson; Hayden, Ellie and Jackson Ripke;  Tyson, Weston and Decker Ripke; Madelyn, Macy and Evelyn Vanderhoff; Garrett and Peyton Croghan; Hazel, Oakley and Hendrix Vanderhoff; Brynlee, Braxton and Boden Pickhinke; great-great grandchildren, Atlas and Kohen Johnson; sister Pamela (Harry) Horne of Houston, Texas; brothers-in-law, Cliff (Shirley) Ripke of Hartley; Loren (Sue) Ripke of Mount Vernon; sisters-in-law, Elaine (Len) Brechler of McAllen, Texas; Marlys (Jim) Martin of Sioux City; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Darnell was preceded in death by her loving husband Willis Ripke; parents, Herluf and Vivian Pedersen; in-laws, Walter and Marie Ripke; daughter Barbara Nieland; maternal grandparents, Martin and Lona Skibsted; paternal grandparents, Bertal and Dagmar Pedersen; sister Andrea McWilliams; brothers-in-law, Art McWilliams and Wayne Ripke.