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Claude L. Ripplinger

June 21, 1946-May 16, 2018

A man who lived his

life with heartfelt passion,

Claude L. Ripplinger met

his Lord on May 16, 2018,

at the age of 71. With a

lion-hearted mettle,

Claude battled cancer

with unwavering faith in

God’s wisdom and plan.

Claude was born on June

21, 1946 to John and Isa-

belle (Hoffner) Ripplinger.

A native of Harvey, ND,

Claude learned the value

of hard work and devo-

tion growing up and

working on the family

farm. After moving to

town in 1958, young

Claude delivered newspa-

pers and enjoyed a suc-

cessful leatherworks busi-

ness as he crafted and

tooled an array of pro-

ducts.

One eventful summer at

age 17, Claude encoun-

tered the love of his life,

Vicki Neumiller, at the

Wells County Fair. Little

did he know then, he

would share 50 years of

marriage with his soul-

mate. After graduating in

1965, Claude entered the

North Dakota National

Guard in which he served

as a cook at first the mess

hall and then the officers.

After a summer of train-

ing, he moved to Carring-

ton, ND where he worked

several years delivering

gas to area farmers for the

Farmers Union Oil, Co.

During this time, Claude

married his sweetheart

Vicki, and together, they

raised two children,

Nicole and Chad.

Always eager for a new

challenge, Claude and

Vicki began their venture

as supper club owners

upon purchasing the Fire-

side Inn, near Carrington

in 1976. Claude loved the

art of cooking and contin-

ued to explore and perfect

his craft to the end of his

days. As a bar owner, he

reveled in entertaining

customers with live

music, delicious food and

drink, and developing

friendships that lasted a

lifetime.

Returning to his roots

in Harvey, Claude moved

his family and began a

new exploit at Ripplinger

Motors learning the car

business and working

with his father JB Rip-

plinger until later becom-

ing owner himself.

Throughout his life as

both a business leader

and community member,

Claude strongly believed

that the strength and pros-

perity of a town lies in its

willingness and faithful

effort to support and serve

one another.

Claude was a member

of the American Legion,

Wells Eagles Aerie 3080,

an active parishioner of

St. Cecilia’s Catholic

Church where he served

upon the finance council,

all of Harvey, and he held

terms as president of both

the Carrington and Har-

vey Country Clubs.

Always discovering

new interests, Claude pur-

sued various hobbies and

passions throughout his

life including archery,

snowmobiling, bowling,

golfing, building and fly-

ing RC planes, and boat-

ing. He delighted in his

backyard and its many

birds, perfecting his lush

lawn, crafting wine and

golf clubs, and following

his favorite NASCAAR

drivers.

Above all, Claude loved

and respected the Lord

and treasured his family.

Claude brandished an un-

faltering passion for life

until his last breath.

Claude is survived by:

his wife Vicki, and their

children, daughter, Nicole

(Bryan) Armstrong of Har-

vey; son, Chad (Heather)

Ripplinger of Bozeman,

MT; grandchildren, Tyler

Rygg, Isabella Armstrong,

and Ava, Nora and Geor-

gia Ripplinger; father,

John (JB) Ripplinger and

his wife Virginia of Har-

vey; brothers, Leon

(Carol) Ripplinger of Kel-

seyville, CA; Monte (Di-

ane) Ripplinger of Rogers,

MN; numerous nieces and

nephews.

Claude was preceded

in death by: his mother,

Isabelle.

The Mass of Christian

Burial: Thursday, May 24,

2018 at 10:30 a.m. at St.

Cecilia Catholic Church,

Harvey, ND. Burial will

follow in the St. Cecilia

Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation: Wednesday,

May 23 from 3 p.m. to 7

p.m. with a rosary prayer

service at 7 p.m. at St.

Cecilia Catholic Church,

Harvey, ND.

Arrangements with

Hertz Funeral Home, Har-

vey, ND. Share online at

www.hertzfuneral

homes.com.