Emmalene Eva Hermreck-Rippe
March 29, 1938 - December 12, 2013
Emmalene, 75, of Oakdale, entered into rest on Thursday, December 12, 2013.
Emmalene (Em) was born March 29, 1938 in Ellsworth, Kansas to Alfred and Iva Hermreck. She graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1956 and from Fort Hays State College in 1960 with a B.S. in General Science with a Diploma in Nursing. At Fort Hays State she received the Dr. Karl Meninger Award for Outstanding Student Nurse in Psychiatry.
In 1961, Em married Clarence Rippe, and they had four children together, Lauri, Brad, Shelayne, and Cheryl. Even though they divorced in 1982, Em and Clarence remained good friends and co-parents until his death in 1998.
Em was a very dedicated and supportive mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. In what little spare time she had, she kept herself busy running from town to town watching her grandchildren, Chase, Ian, Ethan and Sarah at their sporting events, pageants, awards ceremonies, etc.
Over they years, Em worked in various nursing capacities, hospital nurse, Director of Nurses at Oak Valley Care Center, as well as school nurse at Modesto Junior College. Her crowning achievement was establishing the ROP, Health Occupations program in 1974 at Oakdale High School. Sadly, Em passed away in the middle of what she intended to be her final year of teaching. Throughout her 39 years at Oakdale High, Em positively effected the lives and careers of many Oakdale students and citizens. She also received the Oakdale Soroptomist "Woman of the Year in Health" award and was very well known throughout the entire local health community.
She is survived by her three daughters, Lauri Rippe of Oakdale, Shelayne Higgs and her son Chase of Oakdale, and Cheryl (Doug) Reece and their three children Ian, Ethan and Sarah of Galt; her two brothers Lawrence (Barbara) Hermreck of Osage Beach, MO and Kenneth (Kathy) Hermreck of Hoffman Estates, IL; and many special aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, wonderful friends, and her beloved students.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence Rippe, and her beloved son Brad Rippe.
Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, December 17 with a Rosary at 6:00 p.m. at the Oakdale Memorial Chapel; Funeral service will be Wednesday, December 18 at 3:30 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Oakdale with a reception to follow at the FES Hall; and burial will be at Lakewood Memorial Park in Hughson at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 19.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Em's memory to the "Em Rippe Memorial Scholarship Fund" to benefit OHS students going into the health care field. (Make checks payable to: OJUSD, 168 South 3rd Ave., Oakdale, CA 95361. In the memo area note: Em Rippe Memorial Scholarship Fund.)

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Published by Modesto Bee on Dec. 17, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Emmalene Hermreck-Rippe

9 Entries

Kristin Singer

December 27, 2013

Mrs. Rippe was the most wonderful, kind, compassionate person I have had the opportunity to know. I worked with Mrs. Rippe at Oak Valley Care Center and then with her R.O.P. students through the high school. It was a joy to see Mrs, Rippe checking up on her students every morning. She changed many students outlooks on life and their future including careers. I will miss her smile and grace. Heaven has gained another angel. My heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Rippe's family. She loved you all so much and was very proud of you all.

Tammie Smith

December 19, 2013

Em was a wonderful person, nurse and mentor. We met during my high school years and she has influenced me greatly and in fact was the reason I became a nurse. There is a special place in heaven for her.

Steve Cousins

December 18, 2013

I taught with Em for a number of years in the Voc Ed Department at Oakdale High and always enjoyed and appreciated her kindness, insight and sense of humor. She was a wonderful woman. The service today and the Reflections by Neil, Kristi and Serena were 'right-on'. The photo of Em on the memorial, waving good-bye to us was priceless. Thank you Em for enriching our lives.

Debra McGinnis

December 18, 2013

Mrs. Rippe was a special lady and a good friend.. She will be missed and prayers to all the Family...

Richard, Debra & Kasey McGinnis
( Hickman , Ca.)

Julie Terry-Muncrief

December 17, 2013

Mrs Rippe. She was always my favorite teacher full of great knowledge and so much love for all of her students she taught me 20 years ago and she called me at home the summer after I graduated and gave me a Dr name and address she says go now she is expecting you. She got me my first job in the medical field.
This last year shortly after Mother's Day I learned I had been caring for this wonderful man that I learned was the man who hired her at Oakdale High School. I'm so glad we had that talk that day.
Charlie hired one great woman.
Mrs Rippe truly will be remembered forever.

Brigid Cisneroz

December 17, 2013

I will never forget my wonderful Aunt Em! The love she shared with everyone around her will never be forgotten. I will miss you but know Ill see you in heaven again someday!! Xoxo

Drs Basi and Mahida and Girls

December 17, 2013

We are gonna miss Ms Rippe stopping by our office each day to check on her students. She was a great teacher, person, and loved by all that knew her. Our office extends our sincerest sympathies to her daughters and their families. Your Mom was truly a wonderful woman.

Amanda Gurule

December 17, 2013

She changed my life I hope I will be half as good person as her when im in the health facility.

Matt Syljuberget

December 17, 2013

Such a wonderful and influential person in my life. I was blessed to know her, and receive such wisdom and knowledge of patient care. She'll always be my favorite :)

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