Alice Lou Rippey

Alice Lou Rippey, 89, of Carver, MN, formerly of Arcola, IL passed away at 5:30 AM on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 210 South Pine St. Arcola, IL. Father Michael Trummer will officiate. Burial will follow in the Arcola Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at the Edwards Funeral Home, 221 East Main St. in Arcola, IL, prior to the service at the church.

Alice was born on February 7, 1937, in Arcola, IL, a daughter of Albert Francis and Louella (Pullen) Rippey.

She is survived by her daughter, Anne Therese Tolliver and her husband Tom of Carver, MN, a grandson, Andrew Tolliver and his wife Jill of Jordan, MN, and one sister, Susan Patridge of Decatur, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Mary Elisabeth Rippey and one brother, Paul Anthony Rippey and his wife Shirley.

Alice graduated from Arcola High School in 1955 and went on to complete her nursing education at Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in 1958.

Alice was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Arcola, IL.

Her professional career was long and distinguished. Alice worked as a Registered Nurse at Mercy/Covenant Hospital in Urbana, IL for 38 years, retiring in April 1996. During her time there she gained extensive experience in various areas of nursing. Her favorite areas of nursing were pediatrics and serving as a house supervisor. She also worked in medical-surgical, intensive care and the ER Department. From 1972 until her retirement in 1996 she was a nurse educator in the hospital education department.

After retiring from nursing, Alice continued to contribute to her community. She served as the Secretary at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church for one year before retiring again. She then took on a role of hostess at the Arcola Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center and Museum where she worked for several years, welcoming visitors.

Alice enjoyed painting, writing, family history, and collecting Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. Her passion was the treasured time spent with her family and friends.