Denise Anne Ripke

Denise Anne Ripke, age 74, of Maple Valley passed away on Monday February 20, 2023 at Kobacker House in Columbus, Ohio with her loving daughter by her side.

Denise was born on April 3, 1948 in Midland, Michigan to Herbert and Elizabeth (Pollard) Ripke Sr..  She graduated from Midland High School in 1966 and then for a short time lived and worked in Germany. She  relocated to Flint and later moved to Maple Valley in 1982 to be closer to family. She was employed as a customer service representative for Michigan Works from 1997-2019. Along with her mother, Denise was an avid crafter and enjoyed traveling the state on weekends doing craft shows and seeing her crafter friends. She was a founding member of the North Central Arts Council and their craft show chair for many years.

Denise loved nature and traveling to the U.P.  with her family for camping and rock collecting. She relocated to Columbus, OH in 2021 to be closer to her daughter and family. Her grandson Elliot was a source of great joy at the end of her life. She often remarked that she “loved him to pieces” and was glad to brag about him to anyone who would listen.

Denise is survived by her loving daughter; Amanda Ripke and son-in-law Derrick Ehlen; grandson Elliot Ehlen; brother Herbert (Diane) Ripke Jr., nephew David (Jammie) Ripke and niece Krista (Tim) Heine as well as many special great-nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents and great-nephew; David H. Ripke, Jr..

Funeral Services for Denise Anne Ripke will be conducted at 11:00 am on Friday March 3, 2023 from Christler Funeral Home-Prudenville Chapel. Family encourage mourners to wear something blue as it was her favorite color.  Interment will be in Denton Township Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday March 2, 2023 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Christler Funeral Home-Prudenville Chapel. Memorial contributions in memory of Denise are asked to be directed to The Association to Rescue Kritters (A.R.K). Christler Funeral Home-Prudenville Chapel is serving the family. Condolences can be sent to the family online at www.christler-holdship.com