Joseph Albert Kripal, son of John Louis and Sophia Bertha (Ruzicka) Kripal was born June 10, 1935 in Hebron NE. He departed this life Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at Thayer County Health Services in Hebron at the age of 88 years.

Joe grew up in Hebron, attended Sacred Heart Catholic grade school, and graduated from Hebron High School with the class of 1953.

He worked for his father at the Kripal Motor Company in Hebron during and after high school until he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1955. He served as an aircraft mechanic, including time on the aircraft carrier USS Princeton in the Pacific, and was honorably discharged in 1959.

Joe married Anna Ruth Sullivan at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Superior, NE September 15, 1958. This union was blessed with the birth of five children.

Joe worked in the Engineering department at Behlen Manufacturing in Columbus NE, and then owned two different automotive service stations in Columbus before moving the family back to Hebron in 1974. He then began his career at Reinke Manufacturing, working there for 26 years before retiring as Vice President of Purchasing.

As a younger man Joe enjoyed pheasant and quail hunting, and throughout his life was always interested in all things mechanical. He restored a red 1969 Chevrolet Impala convertible which he enjoyed driving for many years, taking it to car shows, parades, or just giving rides to his grandchildren. In recent years he relived his youth owning and driving a 1948 Plymouth which was like one he had in high school.

He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hebron, Lions Club, and the American Legion.

He is preceded in death by an infant son Richard Eugene; parents John and Sophia Kripal; siblings Henry Kripal, Cecilia Worden and Adeline Meyer.

He is survived by his wife Ruth of Hebron, children David (Joni) Kripal of Erie, CO, Joan Wiedel of Fremont, NE, Thomas (Sarah) Kripal Lincoln, NE, and Steven (Kendra) Kripal of Omaha, NE; grandchildren Eric (Shelly) Wiedel, Jessica (Bryce) Knobbe, Michelle (Jonathan) Meyer, and Joel Wiedel, Sophia and Kailey Kripal, Ellie, Madison, and Jillian Kripal; 10 great-grandchildren; siblings Irene Nacke of Hebron, Patricia (Don) Fiser of Littleton, CO, John (Idonna) Kripal of Hebron, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 10:00 AM. Organist will be Janet Nielsen, congregational hymns will be “Amazing Grace”, “How Great Thou Art”, and “On Eagles Wings”, acolyte will be Ken Else, reader John Luongo, casket bearers will be Joe’s nephews Randy, Greg, Kent, and Andy Meyer, Jeff Kripal, Jim Nacke, and Tim Fiser.

Memorials in care of the family and condolences may be left at www.krollfh.com. Interment will be in the Catholic cemetery with military honors by the Thayer County American Legion Posts. Kroll Funeral Home of Hebron, NE is in charge of arrangements.