Richard Ripplinger, age 75, Mandan, died peacefully while surrounded by his family, March 3, 2007 at St. Alexius Medical Center. Mass of Christian burial will be held at Spirit of Life Catholic Church at 10:30 am on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 with Rev. John Mathai as celebrant. Burial will be at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery with full military honors provided by VFW Post #707 and American Legion #40. Visitation will be on Tuesday March 6, 2007 from 1:00-9:00 pm with a parish vigil at 7:30 pm at Weigel Funeral Home. There will be no visitation at the church on Wednesday. Richard was born on September 16, 1931 in Mandan, the son of Peter and Margaret (Lauinger) Ripplinger. He was raised and educated in Mandan. He served in the US Army from 1949 to 1953. On July 5, 1954, he was joined in marriage to Bernadette Beckler. Richard worked for various construction companies, was a trucker and worked for Eddy’s Bakery. Richard’s great pride was to be with his children and grandchildren. He seemed always able to communicate with them without scolding. Richard shared his love of cooking with his family who will dearly miss his fish fries and his infamous sausage. Richard and Bernadette were especially honored by the number of family able to gather to celebrate their 50 years of marriage. Richard is survived by his wife Bernadette, two daughters, Doris (Lee Allan) Leno, Tuttle, ND and Sandra (Kenneth) Feist, Byron, GA; two sons, Richard Jr. (Mary Jo), Minot, ND and Greg (Lisa), Mandan; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Charlotte (George) Bunnell, Mandan, Donna (Cliff) Norton, Mandan and Annette Schumacher, Mandan; six brothers and five sisters-in-law, Gary (Kathy), Mandan, Larry (Michelle), Mandan, Jerry (La Verne), Fargo, ND, Pete (Kathy), Billings, MT, Bill (Lorraine), Mandan and Eugene, Flasher, ND; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; special friends Preston and Sharon Leingang, Austin, TX and his beloved cocker spaniel, Brandi. He is preceded in death by his parents Peter and Margaret; two infant sisters, Margaret and Shirley; three brothers Ted, Kasper and Robert and two nephews Pat and Scotty Bunnell.