Gale R. Ribar

Obituary

Galen “Gale” Richard Ribar was born on November 12, 1947, in Glencoe, Minnesota. He was the son of John and Eleanor (Vinar) Ribar. Gale was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brownton, Minnesota, and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth. He was a graduate of the Brownton High School Class of 1965. He furthered his education at Mankato State University.

Gale entered active military service in the United States Marine Corps on March 28, 1968, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and served his country during the Vietnam Conflict. He received an Honorable Discharge on March 27, 1970 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and achieved the rank of Sergeant.

On January 27, 1968, Gale was united in marriage to Jeanne Dose at St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Arlington, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with three children, Michelle, Joel and David. After living in Jacksonville, North Carolina while enlisted, Gale and Jeanne resided in different cities within Minnesota, including Arlington, Le Sueur, Mankato, Coon Rapids, Woodbury, Saint Paul and recently moved to St. Peter. They shared 54 years of marriage.

Gale was employed in sales, management, and human services. He worked with youth programs including the Sheriff’s Youth Program and Neighborhood House. He was the director of multiple food shelves while working at Neighbor to Neighbor in the Twin Cities metro area. He always found great joy in helping others. He and Jeanne provided foster care for over a dozen children between the years of 1985-1995. He retired at the age of 62. 

Gale enjoyed reading, and voraciously read many different genres of books. When living in Le Sueur, he was well-known by the librarians and was known as one of the top readers for years. He took great pleasure in playing cards and laughing with his family. Telling stories was one of Gale’s favorite past times, and he always had a great memory to share with the ones he loved. He had an appreciation for music and enjoyed singing and listening to karaoke at family gatherings. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family, wife, children, grandchildren and friends.

Gale passed away on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at River’s Edge Hospital and Clinic in St. Peter, at the age of 75 years.

Blessed be his memory. He will be deeply missed by those who knew him and loved him.

Gale is survived by his:
Wife, Jeanne Ribar of St. Peter, MN;
Daughter, Michelle Bjerkness, her husband Brent and their children Jakob and Hanna of Minneapolis, MN;
Sons, Joel Ribar, his wife Nina and their children Kyle, Eric and Owen of Cotton, MN, David Ribar, his wife Rachel and their children Ezekiel and Simon of St. Peter, MN;
Brothers, Gary Ribar of Litchfield, MN, Gene (Barb) Ribar of Hutchinson, MN;
Sister, Gloria (Rufus) Draeger of Brownton, MN;
Brothers-in-law, Leon (Renae) Dose of Arlington, MN, Harris (Linda) Dose of Arlington, MN;
Sisters-in-law, Sharon (Rick) Koepp of Arlington, MN, Joyce Koepp of Arlington, MN;

Many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Gale is preceded in death by his parents John and Eleanor Ribar, parents-in-law Melvin and Marcella Dose, sister-in-law Susie Ribar, and brother-in-law Bryan Koepp.