Jerri Kay Mueller Ripper went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, August 8th at age 57, surrounded by family. Jerri was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Paul Jerome Mueller and Trella Jean (Thomas) Mueller. She was raised in Houston, Texas, graduating with honors from Sam Houston High School.
Jerri was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her best friend and loving spouse, “Big Al” Ripper, her son Fred Ripper and wife Dina Ripper, her daughter Alice Ripper and fiancé Preston Irwin, siblings Tom Mueller and wife Deanna, June Taylor, and Jennifer Blankenship and husband Dennis. She is also survived by her grandson Cameron Reid and grandson-to-be Lukas Alexander Ripper (arriving December 2020), numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews and beloved extended family and friends.
Jerri and Big Al were married in 1980. After a few years in Houston, they moved to White Hall to raise their children. They soon became members of Salem Lutheran Church and, most recently, St. Paul Lutheran Church in Magnolia. She was very active in her community. Jerri was a light to everyone she met and had countless friends who became extended family. She loved babysitting the neighborhood kids, eventually becoming a youth leader at the church.
Jerri later worked for the Special Education Department at Navasota ISD. She then went to work for the United States Postal Service for 15 years. Jerri also loved to cook, turning her passion into a catering business that she and Al operated.
Jerri was an extremely loving, witty, and selfless person. Her passion for life was palpable, and she touched many lives in her short time here. Jerri’s family fondly remembers the fun times on family vacations, driving to St. Louis to visit family, summers spent in Port Mansfield, and her amazing trip to Costa Rica. Jerri loved the beach, going on her “sisters trips,” hosting annual “Thanksgiving-eve” bonfires, and 4th of July celebrations. Even in her last moments, she was still being “cheeky.”
Loving wife, amazing mother, lifelong friend, devoted Christian, grandmother, sister, aunt, postal service therapist. The adornments are endless and the legacy that Jerri leaves behind is truly larger than life.
Arrangements are with Nobles Funeral Chapel. Services will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, August 15, 2020 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 21088 FM 1488, Magnolia, TX 77355. A life celebration will follow at 1:00pm at the White Hall Community Center, 14536 FM 362, Navasota, TX 77868.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Paul Lutheran Church.