Russell Ripley, 79, Luverne, died Saturday, Aug. 5, 2006, at Tuff Memorial Nursing Home in Hills from cancer. Funeral services were Wednesday, Aug. 8, at First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. The Rev. Terry Morse officiated. Burial with military honors was in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne.Russell Ripley was born to Clifford and Katherine (Willoughby) Ripley on April 17, 1927, in Hardwick. He received his education in Luverne. He served in the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1947 as an aviation electrical specialist during World War II. He married Eunice Carlson on Jan. 20, 1946, in Bakersfield, Calif. After his time in the service he moved his family to Worthington. He signed with the Blue Jays to help build Thule Air Base in Greenland and saved his wages to pay for his first business venture, The Ripley Oil Direct Service Truck Stop located at the west end of Luverne. The family moved to Luverne, and Ripley Oil Company became RIPCO. It grew to more than 36 gasoline stations and truck stops located in Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska.Over the next 55 years his business ventures included his Red Carpet Auto Stores, Go Kart tracks and Eagle Transportation which included gas, fuel oil, grain and produce trucking. He owned and operated a nightclub in Sioux Falls, S.D., and a Luverne teen center, The Cue. He also was active buying and selling commercial and residential properties in various areas of the neighboring states. At the time of his death, he and Eunice, his wife and business partner, were still operating R&M convenience and gas store in Sioux Falls. For 55 years they kept true to their motto, "We have the cheapest gas in town." In fact, in 2005 RIPCO in South Dakota made the national news as having the cheapest gas in the nation.Survivors include his wife, Eunice Ripley, Luverne; nine children, Cathy Groth, Plymouth, Robyn (Dennis) Nowka, Randy (Judy) Ripley, all of Luverne, Paulette Ripley, Denver, Colo., Vicky (Ray) Atwood, Sioux Falls, Sally Ripley, St. Paul, Russell Ripley, Cologne, Kim Ripley, Golden Valley, and Lisa Ripley (Tom Lahr), Whitewood, S.D.; 17 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one brother, Lester (Lucille) Ripley, Luverne; and a sister-in-law, Joni Ripley, Houston, Texas.Mr. Ripley was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Myrl and Rodney, and two sisters, Bernice and Marcella.A tree will be planted in memory of Russell by Hospice of Sioux Valley Luverne Hospital.Hartquist Funeral Home, Engebretson Chapel, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.