Teresa "Terry" Jean Krippner

Teresa "Terry" Krippner was born February 9, 1953, the third of eight children to Marilyn and Ted Lebens. She attended St. Rose of Lima Grade School and Our Lady of Peace High School in St. Paul. Terry met Dave Krippner at Dibbos in Hudson, Wisconsin after asking all three of her friends to dance and being turned down, she smiled and said she’d love to. They married at St. Rose of Lima on May 4th, 1973. They lived in White Bear Lake while Terry worked at 3M as a secretary and Dave worked for a trucking company. Terry and Dave spent a lot of time renovating their starter home. Terry did a lot of the smelly, messy work without complaining. September 19, 1975, Terry gave birth to Kristin and was overjoyed to begin her family. Soon they moved to a small hobby farm in Cambridge, MN where Terry enjoyed planting a large garden, canning, and taking care of little Krissy. Amanda arrived on July 25th, 1978. The girls loved spending time in the garden and the barns with Terry as she kept busy keeping things in order at home while Dave began work at Vincent Metals. Terry eventually went back to work when the girls began school. She had a few different jobs throughout the years, the last led to her dream job in the Minnesota Attorney General’s office which was also close to her mom’s work. Being so close to Marilyn allowed for lunchtime chats and shopping trips! In early 1996, Terry’s Multiple Sclerosis symptoms became too significant for her to work. She retired from the State of Minnesota after almost 10 years. It was difficult for Terry to stop working; she missed the camaraderie with her co-workers and the feeling of being productive. Terry was always active in her family’s lives in one way or another. The love she had for her husband, daughters and other family shown through in everything she did. Even when working a full time job she found time to make a home-cooked meal every night, make clothes for the girls for school, plays and dances and also lead their Brownies and Girl Scout troops. She was a Sunday school teacher and superintendent and she found ways to give back to the community like Clowns for Christ and serving Easter Sunday breakfast. She also made wedding and bridesmaid dresses for her sisters and helped organize family get-togethers. Her creativity and talents were always evident in the things she sewed, crafted, crocheted or baked. Everything she cooked was delicious, particularly her peanut butter balls, cream cheese pumpkin bars, egg rolls, potato soups and family hot dish. In addition to her delicious cooking, Terry enjoyed chocolate whenever she could! Terry rarely followed a recipe but everything she made she said was “made with love” and it surely tasted that way. Terry’s most unforgettable trait was her contagious smile. Despite the many challenges she faced in life, she always focused on what was most important and that was her family and her love for them. She had a gift for making others feel loved and safe in her presence. Her love and sunshine will always be remembered. Terry died very unexpectedly Sunday morning at the Fairview Lakes Regional Medical Center in Wyoming at the age of 60. She is survived by her husband Dave, her daughters Kristin Lang of Rush City, Amanda St. Martin and her husband Matthew of Lino Lakes, grandchildren; Ellie, Cecelia and Lila and siblings; Ted (Cathy) Lebens of Eagan, Tom (Arleen) Lebens of Prescott, AZ, Maggie Friend of Maplewood, Mark (Sara) Lebens of Stacy, Matt (Melanie) Lebens of North St. Paul, Michele (Keith) Eller of Stillwater, Jeannie (Bryan) Skogsberg of St. Paul and many nieces and nephews. Terry is preceded in death by her parents Ted and Marilyn Lebens. Rev. Laurie O'Shea will officiate at Terry's funeral service: 11:00 AM Friday (11/29/13) with a time of visitation and reviewal 2 hrs prior to the service. The funeral and visitation time will be at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Rush City (1000 So. Jay Ave.). The interment will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN. at 2:15 p.m. Friday afternoon. We will meet at assembly area # 5 in the cemetery. Funeral arrangements for Terry Krippner; (Mrs. Dave Krippner) are entrusted to the: Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City; Olson Chapel. www.funeralandcremationservice.com