Gail D. Goodwin Rippen passed away July 8th, 2023 at Emerald Nursing and Rehab in Cozad, NE. She was born May 20th, 1947 in Hayward, CA to Sylvester Raymond “Buster” and Billie “Bee” (Maehler) Goodwin.
Gail grew up and resided in the California Bay area, graduating from William C. Overfelt High School in 1965. She worked for Credit Bureau Metro in San Jose, CA and later Western Electric in Sunnyvale, CA in Data Processing. On July 28th, 1972 she married Terry L. Rippen and they moved to Nebraska to raise their family. She earned her Certified Dietary Manager Degree and worked at the Senior Center in North Platte, NE for 19 years. In 2001 she moved to Green River, WY, where she worked at Castle Rock Convalescent Center and then Sweetwater County Sheriff Department as the facility cook where she retired from in 2013.
She loved all animals, but especially horses and dogs. She raised horses while living on a friend’s ranch in California and bred Standard Collies in Nebraska. Being the accomplished cook and baker that she was, she enjoyed sharing her delicious creations, especially at Christmas time and baking elaborate birthday cakes for her children. She loved to read, she was never without a book and she loved her roses. She was quite artistic and painted ceramics for all occasions as well as sewing many beautiful pieces, especially for her children when they were young. She also enjoyed gardening, canning, crocheting, and most recently bird watching. She was strong in her faith and love for her family. Gail returned to Nebraska in 2020 to be near children and resided at Emerald Assisted Living Facility.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Gary Goodwin; and brother-in-law, Steve Minarik
Those left to cherish her memories are daughter, Becky (Alan) Sonneman, of Maxwell, NE; son Ryan (Nikki) Rippen, of North Platte, NE; sister, Gloria Minarik, of The Woodlands, TX; sister-in-law, Cathy Goodwin, of Campbell, CA. Five grandchildren, Gracie, Faith, Rylan, and Hope Rippen; Teegan Sonneman; nieces and nephews, numerous cousins, and many friends at Emerald, including special friend Verla Brown.
Cremation was chosen and there will be a celebration of life with family in California at a later date. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is assisting the family with their needs.