Elaine (Ripley) Unger

Unger (Ripley) Elaine, 70, of Inver Grove Heights, died peacefully on May 9 in the company of her children in Rochester, MN. Elaine battled courageously with lung cancer. Born in Spooner, WI in 1931, her family moved to St. Paul when she was in the sixth grade. Elaine grew up in the West Seventh Street neighborhood and attended St. Paul Schools. She graduated from Monroe High School in 1949. Elaine worked a variety of jobs throughout her life while raising her family. She last worked for 3M Company until her retirement in 1994. In her retirement she travelled with friends and family, was active in her church and with the Monroe High School Reunion Committee. Her special gifts were her caring and knowing ways as a mother, grandmother and friend. Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, Chester and Stella Ripley, St. Paul, and by her daughter, Gailyn, who died in infancy. She is survived by her brothers, Arthur (Alice) Ripley, St. Paul, and Milton (Joanne) Ripley, White Bear Lake; her children, Michael and Jeanne Unger, St. Paul, Sue Barnes, Rochester, and Sandra and Brian Cleveland, St. Paul Park; and her grandchildren, Katie and Emily Unger, St. Paul, and Eric, Kristen, Nikki and Michael Barnes, Rochester; many nieces, nephews, relatives, and many dear friends. She is much loved by her family and will be greatly missed. She and her family were grateful that she received the loving and excellent care of her physicians and nurses at the Mayo Clinic. Visitation will be held at Kessler & Maguire Funeral Home, 640 W. Seventh St., St. Paul (651-224-2341) Sunday from 4-7 pm, and one hour prior to service at church. Funeral service and burial at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 2075 E. 70th St. (70th St. & Hwy 52), Inver Grove Heights, on Monday at 11 am. Memorials preferred to the American Cancer Society, 1096 Raymond Ave., St. Paul, 55108.

Published on May 10, 2002