A celebration of life for James S. VanRiper of Albert Lea, will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the First Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. The Rev. Dan Baker will officiate. Burial will be at Hillcrest Cemetery in Albert Lea. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea one hour before services at the church.

Jimmy, who resided at Thorne Crest Retirement Community, died at the Albert Lea Medical Center on Friday, April 11, 2008, with his family by his side. Jimmy was 94 years of age. Jimmy was born in Canton, Ohio, on March 2, 1914. He was the son of James G. and Gladys VanRiper. He attended schools in Albert Lea.

On June 24, 1939, he was united in marriage to Adelia &8220;Dee&8221; Dahl in Northwood, Iowa. He was a member of First Lutheran Church, Albert Lea., the Elks, and ARC. He worked for Queen Stoves, Gordon Electric and retired from Wilsons as an electrician.

Jimmy and Dee enjoyed camping, traveling in their motor home, music and dancing.

He also loved to rebuild and repair all types of cars. Hudson Hornet being his favorite. He also loved hunting and fishing. His greatest joy was his grandchildren and his great grandchildren, who called him &8220;Big Grandpa&8217;. Jim had the ability to build and repair almost anything.

His legacy will live on in his grandchildren.

Jimmy is survived by his children: Karen (Rodger) Christenson and Jim (Butch) VanRiper, all of Albert Lea; grandchildren: Rodger (Jayne) Christenson of Hayward and their children Michael and Ashley.

Randy (Karri) Christenson of Northwood and their son Garrett, Roni Christenson of Albert Lea and his children Ahna and Kate and Roni&8217;s special friend Ann Klapperich and her children Joshua and Samantha of Albert Lea; granddaughter Suzie Christenson of Rochester; brothers and sisters: Kenny VanRiper of Albert Lea, Warren (Elgene)VanRiper of Owatonna, Beverly Carr of Albert Lea, John (Irene) VanRiper of Glenville, Reedie (Cap) Jacobs of Albert Lea, Pat (Bob) Fjelbroten of Albert Lea, Ruth VanRiper of Albert Lea, Joan (Tenney) Loverink of Remer, brother-in-law Clair and Marion Dahl of Ellendale, and many special nieces and nephews.

Jimmy is

preceeded in death by his wife Dee in July of 1997, his parents, brothers; Joe, Richard &8220;Rip&8221;, Pearl &8220;Pud&8221; VanRiper; two sisters: Helen (Joe) Wellens, Gladys &8220;Sis&8221; (Russ) Stauch, brother-in-law Leo Carr, sister-in-law Wilda (Kenny) VanRiper, stepfather Ernie Heilman and special niece, Connie Thompson.

Jimmy&8217;s family would like to thank the staff at Thorne Crest for their excellent care and loving friendship that he received in the year he lived there. The family would also like to give a special thanks to Dr. Shelhammer, the nurses, aids and staff at the Albert Lea Medical Center for their love and care of Jimmy, making his last days as comfortable as possible.

Thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers. Dad, Grandpa, &8220;Big Grandpa&8221; you will be missed dearly, but you will live in our hearts always and forever.