Lori Margaret Ripley-Woodard

Lori Margaret (Blume) Ripley-Woodard age 54 of Elkhorn, NE., formerly of Storm Lake, IA., passed away peacefully on November 30th, 2012 at Lakeside Hospital in Omaha after a courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her family and friends. Lori was born on November 26th, 1958 to William and Raydene Blume. She was a member of the United Methodist Church and graduated from Storm Lake High School in 1977. Lori attended college at Luther in Decorah, IA. In 1979, Lori fell in love with and married Dan Ripley, son of Paul and Margaret Ripley of Alta, IA. In 1989, they added Amanda Jade and in 1996, Kylee Eliza to their family. She held management positions with Sernet’s, Northwest Fabrics and Linens and Things. When Dan passed away in 2001, Lori fearlessly continued her primary mission to provide her girls with an amazing example of strength, love and determination. During this time, she began working at the Interior Design Firm in Omaha, and did so until her passing. Lori was later blessed a second time to fall in love with Dale Woodard of Storm Lake and in 2008 they were married, combining their families with his children Jessica and Nicholas and grandchildren Dominik, Miah and Makenzie. They continued to live in Elkhorn where Dale presently works at Inland Truck Parts. Lori had a lifelong love of sewing and quilting and found gardening to be a great source of pleasure. There was nothing she couldn’t build, fix or decorate. She was a great teacher and example of how to face adversity with grace, positive fortitude and force of will that was boundless. Lori is proceeded in death by her Grandparents Wm. A. and Edna Blume of Dunlap IA, Frank and Margaret Deel of Spirit Lake, IA and her first husband Dan Ripley. She is survived by her husband Dale Woodard, her daughters Amanda and Kylee, parents Wm. and Raydene Blume, brother Dan Blume, and sisters Cindy Johnson, and Renae Blume. She loved her big family and countless number of friends. We could never give enough thanks to all of the nurses, doctors, and medical staff, (many who became friends,) at Lakeside Hospital and Midwest Cancer Center. You are God’s hands on earth. You helped her meet her goals and then pointed the way when you could not go further. In lieu of flowers, her family believes she would want you to reach out to another person who is fighting a disease and help provide hope. Memorial to family. Visitation with viewing will be at Reichmuth Funeral Home in Elkhorn on Monday Dec. 3rd from 2-8pm with family receiving from 6-8pm. Services to celebrate her life will be held at the Elkhorn Hills United Methodist Church, 20227 Veterans Drive on Tuesday Dec. 4th at 11am. Gravesite ceremony will be Wednesday Dec. 4th at 1pm in Alta, IA., Woodlawn Cemetery.

Lori Margaret Ripley-Woodard

November 26, 1958 - November 30, 2012