Warren Ripa was born on February 12, 1924 on the homesteaded farm northwest of Wilber to John and Georgia (Zeman) Ripa and passed away on June 7, 2017 at the age of 93. He went to country school to the eighth grade after which he went to high school at Wilber. He graduated from Wilber High School with the Class of 1941. On July 12, 1944, he was united in marriage to Irma J. Salda of Wilber. After graduating from high school he and one of his classmates enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After being honorably discharged from the service he made his home on the farm getting a job with the Triple A office in Wilber. After a few months, a clerk position became available at the Wilber Post Office. He took the Civil Service exam and consequently received a job January 1, 1943. He worked as a clerk for a couple of years until a rural carrier position became available, to which he transferred to. All totaled he worked for the Postal Service for about 39 years. Being a rural mail carrier in those days was quite a problem as far as the roads were concerned. When he started, the route had over 45 miles of dirt, mostly gumbo roads when he drove a 4-wheel Jeep and at times he would drive a tractor on the route when it was next to impossible to get around. He also did a lot of walking to some of his patron's mail boxes. He also rode a horse on a couple occasions. He never forgot the winters of 1948 and 1949 when the first blizzard came on November 18 and he didn't get over his complete route until the middle of April. He was a member of The Rural Mail Carriers association and a permanent member of the American Legion Louis-Milan Post 101 of Wilber. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans and also a member of the Wilber Volunteer Fire Department for over 20 years and he was a member of the Lutheran Church in Wilber. Being an avid supporter of the Nebraska Czechs of Wilber, he helped to get ready for Czech Days, especially with the music end of it, getting the band stand ready and the street ready for dancing. He was also awarded the Knights of Blanik given to members that put in a lot of donated labor. He retired from the Postal Service in 1980 and he and Irma moved to Estes Park, Colorado for 14 months. Being away from his home town and part of his family was too much to bear so they moved back to the area to be more involved with work on the family farm. Farming was something he loved all of his life. He also was a bus driver for eight years for the Wilber-Clatonia Schools. He also enjoyed watching his grandson and granddaughter play sports and never missed a game if at all possible. He and his wife also lived in Lincoln for some time before building a new home back in the old home town. During about 40 years of his life he enjoyed playing the clarinet and saxophone with several dance bands in the area. He was also very proud to be playing with the Wilber-Clatonia Alumni Band for many years. He loved Czech music very much. He also stated that he wanted Czech Music at his funeral.

He is survived by his wife Irma of almost 73 years, daughter Karen (Ripa) Albert of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Loren and his wife Roberta (Bobbie Kunc) of Wilber, grandchildren Kimberly (Albert) Collingwood and her husband Peter of Avondale, Arizona, Jason Ripa of Wilber, Jennifer (Ripa) Pospisil and her husband Brian of Wilber, great grandchildren Logan Matos and Kerilynn Matos of Avondale, Arizona, Kaden Albert of St. Louis, Missouri, Gavin and Bria Pospisil of Wilber, sister Lois Simecek of Springfield, Missouri, other family, Dennis Albert, Kadin and Bryston Davis.

Warren was preceded in death by his parents, sister Eunice Mae Ripa, an infant daughter, grandson Todd Albert and brother in law Joseph Simecek.

Funeral Services will be 10:30 AM on Monday, June 12, 2017 at Kuncl Funeral Home in Wilber, NE with Rev. Travis Panning officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday, 5-8 PM at the funeral home. Interment will take place at Wilber Czech Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Louis-Milan American Legion Post 101 or to family for future designation. Condolences may be left at kunclfh.com.