Tracy A. Ripple (nee Lee), known for her sharp wit and humor, passed away at her home in West Bend, WI, on October 4, 2024, at the age of 58, with her husband Ralph Ripple by her side. Born on September 23, 1966, in Holy Cross, Wisconsin, Tracy had just celebrated her 58th birthday.

Tracy grew up in Holy Cross and graduated from Ozaukee High School in 1985. In a twist of fate, Tracy's step-children were very close in age, with one graduating the same year from a nearby school. The close age gap between Tracy and her stepchildren was always a source of amusement for the family, especially when Tracy became a great-grandmother at just 48. She lovingly earned the name "Evil Stepmother" and joked about it often. She took it all in stride, never losing her sense of humor.

Tracy was married to Ralph Ripple for 22 years, and they would have celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary on October 10th. This marriage blended two families into one. She was the mother of Alesha Clark, Pat Clark, Michael Rinner, and Tanya Burby-Harvey, and the stepmother to Jen Ripple, Mike Ripple, and Tanya Wenzlaff. This unique family dynamic gave Tracy two children named Mike and two daughters named Tanya—a fact the family joked made them "the white George Foremans."

Tracy was also a proud grandmother, with three grandchildren of her own—Madalyn, Grayson, and Zophia—and eight grandchildren by marriage—Megan, Chip, Grace, Hope, Kira, Anna, Owen, and Lizzie. She also had six great-grandchildren by marriage: Ezra, Silas, Eden, Shepherd, Evie, and Anderson.

An avid Packers fan, Tracy made football game-watching a tradition in their home once she married Ralph. She loved the simple pleasures in life: boat rides with Ralph on his dive boat, trips to Munising, and their adventures in Cozumel.

In addition to her sense of humor, Tracy was known for her creativity. She enjoyed crafts, drawing, and designing things. Tracy attended tech school for web page design, which allowed her to combine her artistic talents with technology. Her children cherish the many memories of vacations with her and their grandparents, who preceded Tracy in death.

Tracy had a soft spot for animals and a knack for naming them in her own unique style. Her pets over the years included a cat named Kitty, a dog named Puppy, and other beloved animals like a racoon named Coony, an iguana named Iggy, a turkey named Turk, and, you guessed it, a duck named Duck-Duck.

Tracy's sense of humor, kindness, and love for her family will be deeply missed. She lived life with laughter, always quick with a witty comment, and never took herself too seriously.

The family will greet visitors at Eernisse Funeral Home (1600 W. Grand Ave., Port Washington) on Tuesday, October 15th from 4-6PM, with a brief service to follow at 6PM.