"Hi John, Sorry for the loss of your father. Due to back problems am sorry I can not attend the service but will be thinking/praying for you and the family. God bless you, John "
In loving memory of
Russell K. Cripps
January 27, 1930 - January 7, 2018
Russell K. Cripps, 87, of Marshalltown, IA, passed away Sunday, January 7, 2018, at Unity Point Hospital in Marshalltown. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 13, 2018, at First Baptist Church in Marshalltown. A visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, January 12, 2018, at Anderson Funeral Homes, 405 West Main Street, Marshalltown. Online condolences may be sent to www.andersonfhs.com
Russell was born on January 27, 1930, to William and Anna (Jorgenson) Cripps in Marshall County, IA. He graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1948. Russell was united in marriage to Mary Kreb on June 17, 1956, in Waterloo, IA. Russell served with the Army in the Korean War and worked for Marshalltown Trowel for 39 years before his retirement in 1992. He liked to share stories of his war experiences with other veterans and enjoyed watching MASH and detective shows. Russell was known for his story telling and also for teasing, calling himself ornery. In his free time, he enjoyed collecting coins, carpentry, and tying flies, and even built a desk for tying flies. In the 1960s and 1970s, he was a leader in the Christian Service Brigade. Russell helped organize the Baptist Temples young-marrieds group, Gamos, in the 1960s, and when the Baptist Temple moved to the First Baptist Church, Russell was there to help move over 20 pianos, including a baby grand piano. He liked asking deep, spiritual questions of his Sunday school teachers. Russell enjoyed fishing locally and in Minnesota and spending time with his friends and family.
Russell will be dearly missed by his son, John Cripps of Marshalltown; a daughter-in-law, Jamie Cripps of Arizona; and two sisters-in-law, Arlene Cripps of Marshalltown and Janet Kreb of Cedar Falls, IA, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, a son, James, his parents, William and Anna, six brothers: Harry, Eldon, Wallace, Willard, Gilbert, and William, Jr. in infancy; and four sisters, Wanda and Alice, and Martha and Irene in infancy.