James Thomas Ripple

James Thomas Ripple August 19, 1957 - March 6, 2025 James (Jim) Thomas Ripple, age 67 of Edina, Minnesota died on Thursday, March 6, 2025 with his wife and children by his side after suffering a catastrophic stroke on Tuesday, March 4. Jim was born on August 19, 1957, the third of five children, to Rudolph (Rudy) Ripple, Jr., MD and Mary (McNally) Ripple in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He grew up in Hopkins, Minnesota and graduated from Benilde-St. Margaret's in 1975 and subsequently graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology. Jim was married to Cindy (Herbst) on April 7, 1990. They were introduced in September 1988 by Jim's younger sister, Dyan, who thought they would make a good match based on Cindy's willingness to take a long walk, even in inclement weather. Jim and Cindy's second date was spent hiking at Interstate State Park in Taylors Falls, Minnesota. That date secured their future not only as husband and wife, but as life-long hiking partners. Jim enjoyed nothing more than hiking, especially in the mountains and especially if he could get to an altitude where there was snow. In addition to their daily local walks, Jim and Cindy hiked in the Grand Tetons and Rocky Mountains, as well as the Grand Canyon, Cinque Terre in Italy and 70 miles of the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Their October 2024 trip to Capitol Reef, Bryce and Zion National Parks left a lasting impression of the grandeur of God's creation. In July 2024 they completed a two-year quest to hike all (at the time) 66 Minnesota state parks and had recently planned a trip to the Smoky Mountains in May to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary. In addition to hiking, Jim also loved long bike rides and downhill skiing. Jim completed a two-year degree in accounting in September 1991 and passed the CPA exam after his first attempt in February 1993, which ultimately led to his career as an accountant. For the past 20 years, Jim was an Audit Director at Olsen Thielen CPA's and Advisors in Eden Prairie, a job he enjoyed immensely. He gained a great deal of fulfillment from advising clients as well as mentoring interns and associates at the firm. Jim was also a founding board member and Treasurer of Eagle Ridge Academy in Minnetonka, Minnesota and served for several years on the board of First Step Initiative, a non-profit that empowered women living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Jim knew Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior and was an active member and volunteer at Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, most recently serving as the table leader for his and Cindy's beloved group of Midweek bible study members on Tuesday nights. Jim was incredibly proud of his son, Jordan, and daughter, Marissa, and was so pleased to welcome Jordan's wife, Jaquelyn Chagnon, into the family at Jordan's and Jaquelyn's wedding on September 28, 2024. In addition to his children and wife, Jim is survived by his siblings and their spouses, Mike (Kate) Ripple, Nancy (Jim) Murray, Dyan (Kelly) Westman, and Stephen (Teresa) Ripple, as well as his mother-in-law, Ellen Herbst, sister-in-law, Helene (Jim) Lieske and brother-in-law, Stephen (Laura) Herbst, numerous nieces and nephews and personal and professional friends. Jim is preceded in death by his parents and his father-in-law, Loren Herbst. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Tuesday, April 22 at 11:00 a.m. at Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota with a luncheon reception to follow. Live streaming will be available fifteen minutes prior to the service at the following link: https://www.wooddale.org/events. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Wooddale Church, 6630 Shady Oak Road, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344 or Steiger International, Project "Max and Karina Shepelenko," 10125 Crosstown Circle, Suite 170, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344.

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James Thomas Ripple

August 19, 1957 - March 6, 2025

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