Harriet Evelyn Rippentrop was born May 4, 1919 in Titonka, daughter of John and Maggie (Heitland) Sleper. In early years she attended school in Titonka and the family moved to a farm near Buffalo Center. She attended rural school through the 8th grade and graduated from Buffalo Center High School in 1937.
On December 15, 1937, Harriet married Raymond Rippentrop. The couple farmed north of Titonka until Raymond's death in 1978. She moved into Titonka in 1980 and resided there until 2002 when she moved to Friendship Haven in Fort Dodge. Harriet was a member of Ramsey Reformed Church in rural Titonka.
Harriet loved being with her family. She enjoyed writing poetry, working with flowers and playing cards. Harriet died Tuesday, August 1, 2006 at Trinity Regional Hospital, Fort Dodge, at the age of 87.
She is survived by four daughters, Myrna Thilges (Greg) of Bode, Iris Jones (Ron) of Fort Dodge, Inez Boyken (Quentin) of West Des Moines, and Ramona Peterson (Jim) of Fort Dodge; one son, Brent (Sara) of Urbandale; one daughter-in-law, Yvonne Rippentrop of Titonka' 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law and three sisters-in-law, Ona Sleper, Alvin and Irene Gray, and Iola Gray; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Raymond on September 28, 1978; one son, Roger; a great-granddaughter, Devan Thilges; a granddaughter-in-law, Shelley Thilges; 3 sisters, Gertie Buffington, Grace Neeland, Alma Tjaden, and two brothers, Henry and Albert Sleper.