Obituary of Barbara Riipi

Barbara Jean (Morton) Riipi, 87, was taken home by the Lord on March 31, 2022 while at home with her beloved husband. She was the wife of Charles P. Riipi, and together they spent almost 71 years of marriage & happiness. Born in Waukegan, Illinois, she was the daughter of William Arthur and Lois Morton. She was one of seven children they had together. She worked many different jobs throughout her life, but her most devoted & beloved job was being a homemaker for her husband and their 4 children. She was a member of the Zion Church of Christ, in which she faithfully served the Lord. She was an active member in numerous organizations including: Zion Women’s Club (she served as president and her grandmother was the founder), Zion Garden Club, Daughters of the American Revolution, Shiloh House Board & life member, Lakeview & East School PTA President, and volunteer for the CTCA Hospital in Zion for 27 years. She was also an AFS (American Field Service) Club Student Sponsor, in which she and her husband provided a home for foreign exchange students from Norway, Netherlands, Thailand, and Spain. She was best known to those who loved her as “Grammie” and for her hospitality. She never met a stranger and was committed to helping those in need. Her most treasured times were spent with her family. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her pride & joy. She loved watching the Chicago Cubs, visiting Lake Michigan, and viewing the Moon (which she said belonged to her but she shared it with everyone). She is survived by her husband, Charles P. Riipi, brother, Joe Morton, son, Karl (Christine) Riipi, daughters, Suzanne (Butch) Brummel, Jeanne (Tim) Booth, Dianna (Joe Roe) Riipi, grandchildren, Janna (Jason) Shrader, Tim (Rihana) Revell, Jaclynn (Julius) Benjamin, Jennifer (Eric Piatt) Booth, Amanda (Josh) Larkin, Alexander (Stephanie) Bardales, great-grandchildren, Katlynn Roldan, Madelynn Klein, Irelynn Klein, Ty Revell, Emerson Revell, Joslynn Benjamin, Jathan Benjamin, Jamison Benjamin, and Olivia Larkin. Her foreign exchange children, Sissel (Norway), Anita (Netherlands), Apeachia (Thailand), and Eva (Spain). She was proceeded in death by her parents, son, Kerry Riipi, sisters, Dorothy Leitch, Margret Vierup, Shirley Green, Connie Smith, Phyllis Zell, grandson, Matthew Booth, and great-grandson, Julian Benjamin. Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion, IL. Services will be live-streamed at www.congdonfuneralhome.com. The family would like to thank Theresa’s Home and Sanctuary Hospice for the care and support they provided in her final months. “Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.” ‭‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:2‬