Loraine Ina Ripka, 69, of Owatonna, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at Owatonna Hospital due to complications following a recent cancer diagnosis.
Loraine grew up on the family’s dairy farm with her parents, Anton “Tony” and Alma, and 11 living brothers and sisters in Dodge Center, Minnesota.
During high school, Loraine developed health issues that led to her first major surgery. She completely recovered and graduated from Dodge Center High School in 1975. Following high school, Loraine worked at Josten’s in Owatonna for six months before her second surgery, which resulted in an eight-month coma from March to November of 1976.
Loraine’s life was not an easy one, but she was a fighter and beat the odds repeatedly. Throughout the years that followed, Loraine faced extraordinary challenges with a quiet resilience and courage that was an inspiration to all who knew her.
After waking up from the coma, Loraine had to re-learn basic life skills like how to walk, how to talk and how to dress and feed herself. Once she was back on the farm for recovery, her devoted parents continued to help with her therapy and care daily on top of their farm chores. Loraine’s family poured so much love into her that she was eventually able to move to an apartment and live independently in Owatonna for several years.
Over time, Loraine needed to have more help with daily living. Although she lived with a traumatic brain injury that changed the trajectory of her life, it never erased the core of who she was. She never complained. She liked silly jokes, had a great sense of humor and a smile that lit up the room.
There were seven total brain surgeries and Mayo Clinic in Rochester called Loraine’s life a “miracle.” The family extends their deepest gratitude for the dedicated and compassionate care of the doctors and nurses over the decades, the caregivers at her group homes, including REM Woodvale where she had been living, and those who gave her rides to the local Episcopal Church when she was able to attend there in the past. Loraine had a deep faith, and although she couldn’t understand God’s plan for her life, she trusted Him. The family remembers how much her precious life brought all of them together. “We just think Loraine is God’s miracle!” her mother had stated in a 1986 newspaper article.
Loraine loved spending time with her family, watching Vikings football, going out to eat and attending the county fair every year. She enjoyed family holiday gatherings, music and family wedding dances.
She worked at Cedar Valley Services for 30 years as an assembly worker. That is where she met Brian Schumacher who became the love of her life. Despite her cancer diagnosis this year, Brian wanted to have a “commitment” ceremony. He truly loved her. Loraine and Brian had a spiritual union on July 17, 2026 in the presence of beloved family, friends, co-workers and their house mates and staff. It was a very hot day, but it was a grand celebration at Mineral Springs Park. It was the last time many of her family members would see her this side of heaven. She was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.
Loraine is survived by the love of her life Brian Schumacher, her siblings, Art (and Mary) Ripka, Gladys Mulari, Henry Ripka, Evelyn Neubauer, Shirley (and Lou) Ripka, Margaret (and Mike) Lerfald, and twin sister Loretta (and David) Wencl; brother-in-law, Sam Weeks; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Anton "Tony" and Alma Ripka; siblings, Lawrence (and Barb) Ripka, Anna (and Richard) Finger, Leo Ripka, Joyce Weeks, and Robert; sister-in-law, Marilyn Ripka; brother-in-law, Ron Neubauer; nephew, Brian Ripka; niece's son Cameron Burger, and her aunts, uncles and several cousins.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna with Pastor Nate Palmer officiating. A visitation will be held from 9:30 AM until the time of service. Interment will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, November 9, 2026, at Riverside Cemetery in Dodge Center.
