A memorial service for Jeffrey John VanRiper will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Albert Lea, with the Rev. Dwight Netzer officiating.
Jeffrey, 53, died at his home in Florida on June 22, 2008. He was born Sept. 29, 1954, in Owatonna, the son of Darwin and Carolyn (Cart) VanRiper. He attended school and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1973. He worked at Farmland until it was closed because of the fire. He lived in Albert Lea most of his life before moving to Florida two years ago. He enjoyed fishing, canoeing in the Boundary Waters, helping others and being with his family. He enjoyed life and was quick to share a laugh.
Survivors include his sons: Kelly, Jarret and Aaron of Albert Lea; his mother, Carolyn VanRiper of Truth or Consequences, N.M.; brother, Dean VanRiper of Rochester; sisters: Gail (Del) Vernick of Saint Francis, Nancy Goodwin of Albert Lea and Denise (Joel) Sande of Albert Lea; sister-in-law, Karen VanRiper of Henning; many nieces and nephews; and special friends, Larry and Laurie Luebke.
He was preceded in death by his father, Darwin VanRiper; brother, Gary VanRiper, and brother-in-law, Michael Goodwin.
Jeff will be missed by all who knew him and loved him.