A special thank you to all those who have participated in our “I Remember Rippey” series. Your remembrances have allowed readers to share in our town’s history, activities, sports, school, church, and daily life covering 150 years.
We will continue posting online here, using “I Remember Rippey” remembrances received, though those received after April, 2020 will not be in the printed history book. If you would like to read more Rippey history, you may also click on the History tab of the Rippey Library website: https://www.rippey.lib.ia.us .
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An Interview With LaVere Derry. Rippey Community’s Oldest Male Citizen
LaVere Derry was born at home on February 5, 1931, to his parents Vern and Lorene, with the assistance of a mid-wife, Minnie Morain. He was the firstborn of a brother and later a sister. He lived east of Rippey and went to school half days for kindergarten, and the mothers of his class took turns driving the children to school. In first grade when he went to school all day, he rode the bus. He attended the Rippey Consolidated School.
Growing up on a farm, he learned farm chores helping his father raise pigs and cattle. He gathered the eggs for his mom and said he was supposed to help in the garden, but was probably little help. He learned to milk a cow, though the milk was primarily for the family’s use.
In 1948 LaVere had the Grand Champion Angus heifer at the Greene County Achievement show held in Scranton.
He was given the nick name “Cooke” while in High School and it has stuck with him for life. He graduated from the Rippey Consolidated High School in 1948 and entered the service during the Korean conflict, though was stationed in Germany for 18 months. Upon his return LaVere married Beverly Todd in 1954. From the union two children, Mike and Theresa (Teri) were born.
He purchased a car after he was married, and also a motorcycle with a side car, for his new bride to travel with him.
When queried, LaVere said that he drove horses in the field, but never learned how to harness them.
He can recall when Claude States ran the funeral home west of the current Methodist Church at the former Lester High Home. Mr. States also ran the hardware store in Rippey.
When questioned about the best thing happening in his lifetime, LaVere thinks it may have been when water was pumped into the house and no longer had to be carried in, nor did the family have to use an outdoor toilet.
One of LaVere’s fondest memories of Rippey is on Saturday evenings, when the high school band would climb onto the bandstand, and a concert would be held under the stars. The merchants were busy and people gathered to visit and share local stories.
We thank LaVere, aka “Cooke” for sharing his stories and for his volunteer services to our community.
Submitted by Mary Dorris Weaver