Juanita Marian Ripley

Juanita Marian Lyle Ripley, age 101, left us on June 28, 2025 surrounded by her adoring family. She was born June 8, 1924, the eldest of the five children to William and Ima Rice Lyle in a farmhouse 3 miles south of Knob Noster, Missouri on a property that later became Whiteman Air Force Base. On May 21, 1950, she married James (Jim) W. Ripley in the Knob Noster Christian Church. They were married for 66 years, until his passing in August 2016. From that marriage they raised three children who survive, Warren Ripley, (Penny), Temple, Texas, James Ripley, (Mary), Lee's Summit, Missouri, and Janet Wehmeir, (Keith), Pleasant Hill, Missouri. Juanita grew up on the farm and attended 8 years of school in a one-room country school house known as Fair Play. She rode a horse to school every day carrying her lunch pail. When her brothers were old enough they rode with her until she went to High School where she graduated in the Knob Noster class of 1942. A four-word quote in her high school yearbook beside her senior photograph summed up her life. "I live to laugh." She not only lived to laugh, she lived to make others laugh, often without even trying. Within two weeks after graduating High school she started Central Business College in Sedalia where she made many lifetime friendships and polished her clerical skills. She was an amazing typist, an asset she credited with the instruction she received from a high school teacher who worked to help her make a slight adjustment to her typing approach due to a childhood farming accident that took her index finger at 6 years old. Juanita served during the War from 1942 until 1946 by working at Sedalia Army Air Field. She was a Charter Member of VFW Post 3118 Women's Auxiliary. She belonged to the women's golf team, the Homemaker's Club in the 1950's in Pleasant Hill and numerous organizations too many to list; Brownie Troop leader, Cub Scouts, etc. She was a member till 1970 of Sedalia's Alpha Sigma Phi. She served as administrative assistant for Missouri Pork Producers Association. She was a member of the Board of Directors for La Monte Community Bank. She was a member of American Business Women's Association in Sedalia and was named Woman of the Year in 1999. Juanita loved to travel and made every holiday season special with her cooking, baking, and her professional gift wrapping skills that were exceptional and always a part of every Christmas. She was an avid reader her entire life until her eyesight prohibited her from reading. Not to be deterred she made the switch to audio books and listened to them on a daily basis. Even to the very end of her time her memory remained fantastic. She could recall the dates of every grandchild's and great grandchild's birthday. She could recall every life event from the time she was 3 until she left us, including what she was wearing at the time. The last few years with her were the best when she told stories none of us had ever heard. Juanita was preceded in death by her parents and her four siblings, Billy Lyle, Lawrence Lyle, and her twin sisters Wanda Stark, and Wilma Miller. She is survived by her 9 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren, 8 nephews, and 6 nieces she treasured and loved. Funeral Services will be held at La Monte Christian Church, 902 S. Oak Street, La Monte Missouri Wednesday, July 9, 2025. Visitation will be from 10 - 11 a.m. followed by the service from 11 - 12 noon. Graveside services will follow at La Monte Cemetery. Memorial suggestions shall be to La Monte Christian Church or La Monte Cemetery Association, 17310 Hwy 127, La Monte.