Jerry Lee Ripperger, 75, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, with his wife Helen at his side.

Jerry was born in Indianola, Iowa, on October 2nd, 1947, and was the oldest of six children of Bernard and Leota Ripperger. His favorite childhood memories were camping, fishing, and ice skating, with his family.  After graduating from Indianola High School, Jerry attended three years at Simpson College, before enlisting in the United States Air Force and proudly serving his country in Biloxi, Mississippi, and San Vito dei Normanni, Italy. On April 12, 1969, Jerry married his best friend, Helen Davitt in Churchville, Iowa. Together they raised their four children, Jennifer, Jessica, Jaime, and Joe. As a family, they enjoyed fishing and campfires by the pond.

After Jerry's service in the Air Force, he worked at IMT Insurance, before eventually owning and operating Jerico Services, alongside his business partner and mentor Rich Wood. At 52, after many years of hard work, Jerry retired and sold his portion of the business to friends Steve Long and John Marshall. After retirement, his hobby became maintaining his farms, emphasizing the importance of conservation and wildlife habitat. He cherished countless hours on his various tractors and skid steers. Jerry was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed multiple outings with his father Bernard, son Joe, friends, and many loyal hunting dogs. He shared his love of the outdoors with his children and grandchildren.

When he was not farming, Jerry enjoyed traveling. His annual trip to Siesta Key, Florida, with his family and friends, was a favorite and he enjoyed it for over 20 years.

Jerry wanted to express his heartfelt gratitude to Cynthia Moffitt and the Suncrest Hospice staff, who made it possible to fulfill his wish of being comfortable and staying at home with family in his final days.

Jerry is survived by his wife Helen, and four children Jennifer (Andy) Leech, Jessica (Jason) Danielson, Jaime (Matt) Young, and Joe (Amanda) Ripperger. Jerry deeply loved his eight grandchildren: Hannah (Jake) Sickels, Kate (Elijah) Clutter, Liz Leech (Jared Sickels), Anna Young, Drew Danielson, Lauren Danielson, Ryan Young, and Drake Ripperger. Jerry is survived by his siblings Mike Ripperger, Debbie (Bill) Vetters, Stan (Cyndi) Ripperger, and Roger (Sheila) Ripperger, two brothers in law, and two sisters in law. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Leota Ripperger, his in laws Philip and Barbara Davitt, sister Berdeana, five brother in laws, three sisters in laws, grandson Nicholas, and his neighborhood friend Preston Pettit.

A Scripture Prayer Service will be held 10 a.m., Saturday, June 17, 2023, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, with inurnment of cremains following in the Indianola I.O.O.F. Memorial Gardens Cemetery.  Visitation will be held 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, June 16, 2023, at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola.  Remembrances will be shared 7 p.m., Friday at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Jerry Ripperger Memorial, to be used at a later time for causes close to his heart and wildlife conservation.