Douglas George Ripley, age 77 of Hager City, Wisconsin died on June 5, 2022 surrounded by his family at Cambridge Senior Living in Hudson. Doug was born to Walter and Edna (Blackwell) Ripley on October 21, 1944 in Sparta, Wisconsin. He graduated from Hayward High School with the class of 1962. As a young man, he thoroughly enjoyed speed skating on area lakes. He furthered his education at the University of Wisconsin Stout in Menomonie. Doug would meet and marry the love of his life, Joan Mehrkins, in Red Wing, Minnesota in 1970. This union blessed them with four children, Jay, Adam, Jacob, and Alex.

Doug was a kind and loving man. He truly knew how to live life, enjoying all that was around him, while creating lasting memories. He was a passionate outdoorsman who loved to deer hunt with his sons, shoot archery, and fish in all seasons. While he was a young man growing up, he was notably remembered as fishing guide in the Hayward area where his family owned a resort. These tricks of the trade were passed along to his children who all love fishing. Traveling on his motorcycle for more than 30 years was something he found great pleasure. He did not need a map, just a tank of gas. The winding country roads and high mountain passes of the United States is where he found tranquility. He put an astounding 500,000 miles on his Harley and BMW motorcycles throughout his travels. Doug was a founding member of the Indianhead BMW motorcycle club and through that role made lifelong friends and lasting memories. Doug was also a very talented woodworker. It brought him the greatest joy building or creating projects and to give them as gifts to family and friends alike. The greatest attribute to describe Doug would be humble. Everything he did was for his wife and children. They were number one in his life. He will be greatly missed.

Doug is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Joan, children, Jay Ripley, Adam (Valerie) Ripley, Jacob Ripley, and Alex Elizabeth; grandchildren: Cecily and Garnett Ripley; and sister: Beatrice Kizer. Doug was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Edna Ripley; parents-in-law: Virgil and Laverne Mehrkins; and four brothers and one sister.

A Celebration to honor and remember Doug’s life will be held from 1:00-3:00pm on Sunday, October 30, 2022 at O’Connell Family Funeral Home: 520 11^th Street South; Hudson, WI 54016.

Services are entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services of Ellsworth, www.oconnellfuneralservices.com, 715-273-4421