Martha Behrens Ripple Demel

Martha Behrens Ripple Demel, 88, passed away peacefully on Aug 18, 2011. Martha, affectionately called “Matsy,” was born December 30, 1922, to William and Louise Behrens in East Bernard, Texas. In 1940, she married her beloved husband, Clifford Ripple. When Clifford, a decorated bomber pilot, returned from WWII, they moved to College Station to continue Clifford's education at Texas A&M. After graduation, they moved to Houston, lived a few years in Richmond, returned to Houston while raising their daughter Jean and son Tom. After Clifford’s unexpected death in 1975, Martha began her employment with Bechtel. In 1987, Martha married her second husband, Edgar Demel. Together, Matsy and Edgar enjoyed traveling, visiting family and friends, watching their grandchildren grow and just relaxing in their beautiful backyard. All who knew Matsy will remember her preserving strength, loyal friendship, overflowing kindness, the way she carried herself with dignity, style and grace, but most of all her tenacious spirit. She cherished every moment being “Grandma” and “GG" for over 43 years. Martha was preceded in death by her first husband, Clifford Ripple, second husband, Edgar Demel, son Thomas Ripple, daughter-in-law Elizabeth Ripple, parents, William and Louise Behrens, her brothers, Hugh, Monroe and Bill Behrens and her sister Mildred Kubena. Martha is survived by her sister, Virginia Wollam; daughter Jean Hartfiel and husband Don; stepchildren Dick Demel and wife Susan, Laura Ann Weeks and husband Bob, Paul Demel and wife Barbara, Don Demel and wife Sharon; grandchildren Amy Hastings and husband Bruce, Scot Hartfiel and wife Staci, Sondre Ripple, Sarah Ripple, Sam, Ben and Matt Weeks, Pamela Demel, Melissa and Jonathon Demel; great grandchildren Ashlyn and Ryan Hartfiel, Caroline, Catherine and Harrison Hastings, Giselle and Antonio Chamorra and a large, loving extended family and many, many friends. On Tuesday, August 23, 2011, family and friends are invited to a Memorial Service at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, 12955 Memorial Drive at 11:00 AM, with a reception immediately following. Preceding the memorial service, the family will gather at 9:30 at Forest Park Lawndale for the inurnment. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Memorial Drive United Methodist Church.

Martha Behrens Ripple Demel

December 30, 1922 - August 18, 2011