John "Bud" William Rypkema

George, IA

      John “Bud” Rypkema age 87 of George, Iowa died Saturday, January 15, 2022, at Avera Hospital in Rock Rapids, Iowa.

     Memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 9, 2022, at Lyon County First Presbyterian Church of George with Pastor Brian Schafer, officiating.  Private family committal service will be held prior to the memorial service on Saturday at Evergreen Lawn Cemetery at George.

     The Rypkema family invites everyone to join them for lunch and a time of fellowship following the memorial service.

     John, “Bud” William Rypkema was born August 8, 1934, on a farm southwest of George, Iowa, the son of William and Ida (Smid) Rypkema. John grew up on the family farm and attended country school. He graduated from George High School in 1952. On June 4, 1954, John was united in marriage to Donna Hassebroek. After serving in the Army, including being stationed in Germany, John and Donna returned to the farm in George. To their union, five children were born, Steve, Kathy, Mary, Jacque, and Jim.

     John was fortunate to farm among a community of neighbors and friends, who were there with a helping hand when necessary. In addition to being a farmer, John served on boards in the community and as a member of Lyon County First Presbyterian Church, where he was baptized. At church, John served in several leadership capacities including deacon, trustee, and elder. In 1993, John retired from farming.  Donna and he moved to George. During retirement, they travelled and were Texas “snowbirds” for many years. John was also active in Hope Haven’s International Wheelchair Ministries, where he logged many hours refurbishing wheelchairs that were eventually shipped to those in need in many countries.

     Over the years, John and Donna enjoyed playing pinochle with friends, Bob and Joan Luitjens. John also enjoyed watching Iowa Hawkeye sports and spending time with family. He and Donna were blessed with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who would often drop by for visits, especially on Sunday afternoons for a cookie and cup of tea. John liked to tease his grandchildren, and he was a role model for all of them.

     In November of 2020, Donna passed away, and John became a resident of the George Good Samaritan Society in December of 2020. John passed away at Avera Hospital in Rock Rapids, Iowa on January 15, 2022, at age 87.

     John is survived by his children and families, Steven Rypkema of Midlothian, TX and son Egan; Mary (Mark) Behrens of George, IA and their children Amanda (Scott), Anthony (Rochelle), and Austin (Holly); Jacqueline (Rod) Nagel of Fayetteville, AR and their daughters Elizabeth and Anna (Travis); and James (Klarice) Rypkema of George and their sons Brad (Ashley), Brian (special friend, Melissa), and Jason (Olivia). Survivors also include 11 great-grandchildren, Kate, Reed, Taylor, Mason, Bentley, Jackson, Cameron, Emmalyn, Amelia, Chloe, Beckett, and 2 great-grandsons, George and Hunter. He is also survived by his brother, Richard (Elaine) Rypkema of Hot Springs Village, AR, and brother-in-law, Gordon Siebring of George, IA.

     His wife, Donna, his parents, William and Ida Rypkema, his daughter, Kathilyn Sue, an infant granddaughter, Lindsey Kay Nagel, and his sister, Betty Siebring, preceded him in death.

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