Surnames: Blake, Miller, Griep, Ripke, McLaughlin, Ullman, Martin, Weix, Douglas

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) June 4, 2008

Blake, Pearl E. (5 September 1926 - 28 May 2008)

PEARL E. RIPKE-BLAKE

Pearl E. Ripke-Blake, 81, died Wednesday, May 28, 2008, at her residence in Fennimore.

Pearl was born September 5, 1926, in Loyal, the daughter of Herman and Esther (Miller) Griep. She graduated from Dixon, IL. She was united in marriage to Harley Ripke May 14, 1944, and then to George Blake December 29, 2003.

Shortly after her marriage to Harley, they started Ripke’s Livestock in the Neillsville area until 1967 when they moved to Fennimore. In September that year, Pearl went to work for Jack Welsh and her husband Harley at the sale barn as a secretary.

Pearl enjoyed dancing, bowling, traveling, and working at the meal site. She also loved children and meeting people; her friends were very dear to her. Pearl was a member of the St. Peter Lutheran Church and will be greatly missed by all.

Pearl is survived by her husband, George Blake of Fennimore; two children, James (Dorothy) Ripke, Nekoosa, and Donna (Larry) McLaughlin, Kalamazoo, MI; seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; four siblings, Clara Ullman, Raymond Griep, Doris Martin and Bonnie Weix; and one brother-in-law, Bob Blake.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Harley Ripke; daughter, Lynn Martin; son-in-law, Carl Martin; grandson, Larry Douglas; and brother, Edwin Griep.

Funeral services were held Monday, June 2, at 11 a.m. at the St. Peter Lutheran Church in Fennimore with Pastor Charles Miller officiating. Burial was in the Prairie Cemetery in Fennimore.

The Larson Family Funeral Home, Fennimore, assisted the family with arrangements.