Among the treasures in the Iowa History section is a book about a long-time Rippey resident, Esther Christensen Grow, Papa’s Girl: The Life and Times of Esther Grow. written by David Reichinger, a grandson. I remember Esther from my younger days and many of the family members, including Hannah Grow, mother of Esther’s husband, Laurence, and the matriarch of the clan. Hannah and Esther and Laurence lived near my childhood home and were friends of my grandmother, Alberta Bardole. The books include her family roots in Denmark and their journey to the United States, Esther’s education beyond high school and her years as a teacher are an interesting part of her life journey. I found a common thread in her story since my mother, Esther Huber Bardole, also came to Rippey as a teacher and spent the rest of her life here with my Dad, Clark, raised a family here and was an active part of the community.
Take a trip through the Iowa history section and find some of the local history treasures or find other interesting adventures at the Rippey Public Library.