Ninabelle Moore

NINABELLE (RIPLEY) MOORE was born on December 21, 1923 to Harley and Gladys (Buffington) Ripley in Gray Township, Pipestone County, Minnesota. She grew up on the family farm and attended country school. Ninabelle graduated from Pipestone High School. Ninabelle was united in marriage to George Moore on August 23, 1942 at the Peace United Methodist Church in Pipestone. Following their marriage, the young couple moved to a farm in Gray Township. On December 10, 1942 George enlisted in the United States Army and was deployed during World War II. During that time, Ninabelle visited George on several bases and continued to take care of their home until George’s honorable discharge on October 26, 1945. In 1972, the couple moved in to Pipestone. Ninabelle worked at Juba’s, starting at the bakery and then transitioning to the meat department where she met her best friend, Helen. George preceded Ninabelle in death on June 29, 2002. Ninabelle continued to live at home until she moved in to the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone. On Tuesday, December 31, 2019 Ninabelle was moved to the Pipestone County Hospice House where she died peacefully on the same day at the age of 96 years and 10 days.

Ninabelle was a member of the Peace United Methodist Church. During her younger years, Ninabelle was a member of a neighborhood group called Helping Each Other (HEO). Even when she was no longer a member, she continued to take the principles of HEO to heart. Ninabelle enjoyed making bread for others, ironing, and would often take in ironing for people. She loved caring for others. In the beginning years of her marriage with George, she spent a great deal of time with her mother and father-in-law. After the passing of Grace, Ninabelle stepped in to care for Elliott until his passing. Along with caring for others, she also loved rummage sales. Her vehicle should have had a bumper sticker that said “Stops frequently for rummage sales”.

She is lovingly remembered by her children, Larry Moore, Jerry (Colleen) Moore, and Debra (Brian) Christensen; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Sarah, Dianne (Tony), and Dolly; three brothers, Darwin (Pat), Lyman, and Robert (Mavis); her brother-in-law, Eugene; and her extended family, Joan Moore, Elaine Ferguson, Carol Moore, and Kathy Schilz. She was preceded in death by her husband, George; granddaughter, Melissa; and four brothers.