David Wayne Ripperda

Hills, MN      David “Dave” Ripperda age 61 of Hills, MN died Tuesday, March 13, 2018, at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.      Memorial service will be 10:30 AM, Monday, March 19th at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills, MN, with Pastor Maggie Berndt-Dreyer officiating.      Visitation will be Sunday, March 18th from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Hills, MN.      The Jurrens Funeral Home of Hills is in charge of arrangements.        David Wayne Ripperda was born on April 17, 1956, in Sioux Falls, SD, the son of Paul and Marlene (McCarty) Ripperda.  He grew up in Larchwood, IA, and graduated from West Lyon High School in 1974. After graduating, Dave spent his time working at the local lumber yard, as a farm hand, and even driving semi. He then found his love for construction, and opened his own construction business, Dave Ripperda Construction.      On June 2, 2001 Dave was united in marriage to his true love, Kristina Marcella. The couple made their home in Hills, MN.  The couple was blessed with one son, Austin. After health issues causing an early retirement, Dave found a love in gardening with his son Austin. Together they had Austin’s Family Gardens where they canned and sold their produce at local farmers’ markets.        With his family, he started to camp with a group of friends. There he started his love for BBQ. He enjoyed cooking for everyone. He also competed in many BBQ and chili competitions. His team name, with his dear friend Stan, was “Smokin Pipes Barbeque”. Dave loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. When not competing and tending the garden, Dave enjoyed watching the Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Vikings, and of course the Iowa Hawkeyes.           Dave is survived by his wife, Kristina Ripperda of Hills, MN; seven children: Aubrey (Prisci) Juarez of Minneapolis, MN, Sarah Boese of Sturgis, SD, Matt (Amanda) Hoffenkamp of Luverne, MN, Jennifer (Mike) Mulder of Luverne, MN, Missy (Dusty) Seachris of Hills, MN, Joey Streeter (special friend, Jessica Roben) of Beaver Creek, MN, and Austin Ripperda of Hills, MN; fourteen grandchildren: Leo, Angelina, Chloe, Ethan, Bella, Jackson, Jonathan, James, Cheyanne, Kaitlin, Elizabeth, Justin, Remington and Talia; his mother, Marlene Doherty of Larchwood, IA; seven siblings: Sharon (Jim) Herbert of Harrisburg, SD, Kenny (LaDawn) Ripperda of Florida, Ron (Donna) Ripperda of Colorado, Sheila (Doug) Vlastuin of Arkansas, Sandra (Steve) Heitritter of Melvin, IA, Jeff (Wendy) Ripperda of Larchwood, IA and John (Emily) Doherty-Harris of Minneapolis, MN; and several nieces, nephews and other extended family.      He was preceded in death by his grandparents and his dad, Paul Ripperda.