Karen Ann (Ripa) Albert, age 79, passed away Nov. 30, 2024, in Las Cruces, New Mexico, surrounded by her family.
She was born in Lincoln on Dec. 21, 1944, to Warren and Irma Ripa and spent her early years in Wilber. She attended school in Wilber and graduated from Wilber High School. After high school, she married Dennis M. Albert from Clatonia and they moved to Houston, Texas, and then to Boulder, Colorado, where they made their home. They were married for 34 years. Karen lived in several cities in the Southwest. She moved from Boulder to Tucson, Arizona. She returned to Boulder and moved to Reno, Nevada, before returning to Boulder once more. She moved back to Tucson in 1997, where she worked as a realtor for Caldwell Banker. There she met Barry Sullivan, who was her partner until her death.
Karen liked to spend time in the great outdoors hiking and camping. She loved to cook great food and keep a wonderful home. She was active in her church and was always a member of the church choir, where she sang with a beautiful soprano voice. She played piano and clarinet and was a member of the Wilber-Clatonia Alumni Band for many years. She enjoyed her Czech heritage and was a participant in the first Czech Queen contest in Wilber. Karen was the life of her home and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Warren and Irma Ripa, and her son, Todd M. Albert. Survivors include her partner, Barry Sullivan of Las Cruces, New Mexico; her daughter, Kimberly (Peter) Collingwood of Avondale, Arizona; grandchildren, Logan and Kerilynn Matos, and Kaden Albert; and brother, Loren (Roberta) Ripa of Wilber.
A private family service for Karen is planned.
