Gladys L. & Theodore W. Ripper

Gladys L. Ripper, 89, died June 10, 2009 and Theodore W. Ripper, 83 died July 2, 2009. Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service is scheduled at 11:00 AM, Saturday, July 25, 2009 at Grace Episcopal Church with Rev. Thom Lewis, Rev. Rod Hurst and Rev. Larry Krueger officiating. Interment will follow at Grace Episcopal Church Columbarium. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Gladys L. Ripper was born November 15, 1919 in Yankton, South Dakota to Vaughn S. and Nancy Emily (Jones) McMillan. She grew up in South Dakota graduating High School in Chamberlain, South Dakota. Gladys attended the local college for two years and began teaching grade school. She completed her Bachelors degree at the University of South Dakota and received her Masters degree at Ohio State University. Gladys taught in country schools and Pine Ridge Public Schools. She also taught at the University of South Dakota and South Dakota Teacher's College. Theodore W. Ripper was born August 1, 1925 in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania to Harry Otto and Flora Agnes (Pfaff) Ripper. He grew up in Coraopolis where he graduated from high school. Theodore attended college at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts and later a Master of Fine Arts degree. Theodore also worked at the University of South Dakota as the University Organist and taught at Carnegie Mellon University from 1949 to 1955. Gladys McMillan and Theodore Ripper were married June 15, 1953 in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. They moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 1955 where he was the Minister of Music for Peachtree Christian Church for 10 years. In 1965 they moved to Decatur, Illinois, and Theodore worked for Millikin University and First United Methodist Church for 10 years. They relocated to Venice, Florida in 1975 where Theodore was the Director of Music for Grace United Methodist Church and in 1984 they moved to Carlsbad. Theodore was the Director of Music for 8 years at First United Methodist Church and after retirement he continued to work in Roswell as the Music Director for St. Andrews Episcopal Church. Theodore was a published composer and had written works for both organ and choir. Theodore and Gladys were also extraordinary gardeners. They often grew orchids from seed and gardened a host of ornate flowers. They moved to Landsun Manor in 2008 when the garden and yard work got to be too much to handle. Gladys was preceded in death by her parents and sister Waneta Joyce Speed. She is survived by a brother Donald Earl McMillan. Theodore was preceded in death by his parents. Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Episcopal Church, 508 West Fox Street, Carlsbad, NM 88220 or Carlsbad Foundation, Grace Episcopal Church Second Century Memorial Endowment Fund, 116 South Canyon Street, Carlsbad, NM 88220.