Joel Ripley

October 17, 1956 - November 10, 2024

Joel Robert Ripley, 68, passed away on Sunday, November 10, 2024, in a Sioux Falls hospital surrounded by his loved ones. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Brookings, SD. A Visitation with family present will be held the night prior from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Monday, November 18, 2024, at Rude’s Funeral Home in Brookings.

Joel Robert Ripley was born on October 17, 1956, the son to Robert and Mavis (Powell) Ripley in Pipestone, MN. He attended and graduated from Verdi High School, class of 1974. Following high school, Joel worked at 3M. Joel met the love of his life, Vaughn Collins, and married in August of 1979. He then attended a VoTech College and got a degree in Fluid Power in Granite Falls, MN. He started farming with Robert and Virginia Collins and continued farming with family for the last 45 years.

Joel was a member of a number of organizations and clubs, including; ITC Board, Farmers Coop, East Central Cattleman’s Club, S.D. Soybean Board, Weed Board in Brookings, Sioux Valley Member Advisory Committee and the Agro Township Board. He often took leadership roles and great pride in these boards. Joel enjoyed attending and watching his nieces and nephews sporting events as well as SDSU games, riding his side by side with friends, hunting, fishing and giving kids rides in his combine and tractors.

Joel is survived by his wife Vaughn Ripley; brother Jim (Lisa) Ripley, and Sister Pam DeKraai; Sister-in-law Mary Ripley; brother-in-law Rex Collins; and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert LeRoy Ripley and Mavis Roseann (Powell) Ripley; sister, Kim Thompson; brother, Scott (Jack) Ripley; niece, Aimee Collins; parents-in-law, Bob and Virginia Collins; Sister-in-law Lori Ripley.