Gail Ripka

Gail Rosenow Ripka, 74, a voracious reader and avid gardener, died in Peoria, Illinois on May 4, 2024 at the Richard L. Owens Hospice Home surrounded by her family.

Born in Morrison, Illinois on November 10, 1949, the daughter of Clarence Rosenow and Jana (Clementz) Rosenow, Gail grew up in Galva, Illinois.  She graduated from Galva High School in 1967 and then went on to earn her LPN at Black Hawk East, Associates Degree in Nursing at Sauk Valley College, BSN at the University of Illinois, and Master’s degree in Health Administration from the University of St. Francis. She was a nurse and lived a life full of serving others as she developed and managed the Kewanee Hospital Healthcare program during her time as Vice President of Kewanee Hospital.  She was also the Executive Director of the Henry County Health Department until her retirement in 2014.

Throughout her life Gail gave back to her community in many ways including serving on the Henry County 708 Mental Health Board, Freedom House Board, ABCD Board, Kewanee Food Pantry Board, Abilities Plus Human Rights Committee, Kewanee Friends of the Library Board, and the Henry County Mental Health Alliance Board.  She was awarded the Helen Heyrman Award for Outstanding Leadership by the Illinois Homecare and Hospice Council. Gail was very interested in genealogy, and she was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and The Mayflower Society.

Gail single handedly kept every local library in business and won many prizes in the library summer reading programs. She loved her yoga pals and her “old nurses” cohort who remained in constant comfort until her last breath. Gail loved the tranquility of her vast garden and patio sanctuary. She found joy in both feathered friends and the wild creatures that danced through her yard, epitomizing a life of understated richness.

But most of all, Gail loved spending time with her family.  She is survived by her son, Christopher (Deidre) Ripka and her three grandchildren, Miranda, Isabella, and Anderson Ripka.  She was affectionately known as “Grandy” to them and could always be counted on for book recommendations, gifts of office supplies and Legos, amazing trays of Christmas cookies, and Barnes and Noble gift cards for every special occasion. “Auntie Gail” is also survived by her very special nieces and nephews, Sarah (Mike Trippiedi) Cardiff, Amy (Gary) DeFauw, Ben (Angie) Cardiff, and Nolan Rosenow along with many great nieces and nephews.

Meeting her in heaven are her parents, her longtime partner Jim Jones, and several dogs who crossed over the rainbow bridge before her. She will also be greeted by her sister, Marilee Cardiff, and brother, Robert Rosenow.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 10 at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee with Pastor Haley Hausman officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.  Memorials may be made to the Richard L. Owens Hospice Home or the Galva Library.

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