Catherine Rippetoe Hanson passed to her Heavenly Home on Saturday, September 7, 2013 in Early, Texas. Catherine was born in Comanche County on July 29, 1921 to Lucy George Rippetoe and O.E. Rippetoe.
Catherine attended Comyn and DeLeon public schools, graduating from DeLeon high school in 1939. After graduation, Catherine moved to Dallas working at various jobs. In 1942, she was employed throughout the war years at North American Aviation in Dallas as a “Rosie the Riveter” building airplanes for the war effort. She moved to Comanche in 1946 and began her career with Texas Power and Light.
She soon met and married Carl Henry Hanson in 1947. They moved to Brownwood where both were employed and retired from TP&L. Catherine retired from TP&L in April 1976 after 30 years of service.
Catherine was a member of the First Baptist Church in Early, Texas and was very active in many community organizations including the Brown’s County Sheriff’s Possettes’, the Brown County Regional Hospital’s Pink Ladies Auxiliary. She delivered Meals on Wheels for eleven years, was very active in her Church and was always available with a helping hand.
Catherine loved to travel with her church friends and family. She enjoyed playing dominoes with her church group and with friends and family. She loved gospel music and traveled many miles to hear gospel quartets from all over the United States.
Catherine has been blessed by the loving support from her Church groups and by a host of friends.
Preceding her in death were her mother, Lucy George Rippetoe, step mother Laura Rippetoe, father O.E. Rippetoe, her husband Carl Hanson, brothers Brook Rippetoe, Gayle Rippetoe and a sister Lucille (Cele) Hill. She is survived by her brother Dean Rippetoe and wife Jean of Midland. Her surviving nephews are Ken Hill and his wife Arlena of Ft. Worth, Richard Rippetoe and Carol of New York City, and Jimmy Rippetoe of Argentina, South America. Surviving nieces are Kathy Allen of Godley, Texas, Dr. Patricia Rippetoe Pence and her husband Greg of Birmingham, Alabama, Kaye Cowden and her husband Holt of Midland, Texas. She leaves numerous great nieces and nephews that she dearly loved.Services will be held at the First Baptist Church in Early, Texas on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at 1:00 PM under the direction of Heartland Funeral Home in Early, Texas. Her Pastor, Brother Eddie Ailshie will officiate. Burial will be in the White Point Cemetery in Comanche, County.
Visitation will be held at the Heartland Funeral Home in Early, Texas on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Memorials may be made to the Early First Baptist Church of charity of one’s choice.
