May 31, 1936 – November 4, 2023
Joachim “Jim” Ripplinger, 87, of St. Michael, MN passed away on November 4, 2023. He was born on May 31, 1936 in Trail City to Thomas and Mary (Meier) Ripplinger. Jim was raised on a farm in Upsala, MN.
He honorably served his country in the United States Armed Forces in the military police for two years.
On December 27, 1958, Jim was joined in marriage to Ermalinda I. Vos. God blessed them with six children.
He worked on the iron ore boats that sailed the Great Lakes for three years and was employed at St. Regis Paper Company as plant foreman/supervisor. He also owned and operated a hobby farm.
Jim was a faithful member of The Church of St. Albert in Albertville, MN and was the last living member of St. Albert’s 1973 building committee. He served 23 years on the Albertville Fire Department and belonged to the Knights of Columbus.
Jim is survived by his wife of 64 years Ermalinda; children: Donna (Arthur) Rothstein, Deborah (Bradley) Praught, Doris (Thomas) Steffens, Diane (Douglas) Hackenmueller, Mary (Mark) Anderson and Thomas (Karla) Ripplinger; 38 grandchildren and 76 great-grandchildren; sisters Bernice (Ernie) Skwira and Mary Kostreba and many other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by a grandson, Matthew Rothstein; two greatgrandchildren, Terri Tripp and Charolette Rothstein; his parents and 12 siblings.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held November 8, 2023 at The Church of St. Albert in Albertville.