Alice Marie BURKHALTER

Alicia Marie Burkhalter Rippe was born on April 11, 1981, at Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Nebraska, to Kevin and Jeanette (Downing) Burkhalter. She had two younger siblings, Jenna and Beau.

She was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in BirdCity, Kansas. Alicia graduated from Cheylin High School in 1999. She earned her bachelor's degrees in psychology and sociology from Fort HaysState University in 2003. During this time, Alicia spent a year studying abroad in the Netherlands. She graduated with a master's of science degree in community counseling in 2007.

Alicia married Timothy John Rippe on August 2, 2003, at St. John's Catholic Church in Beardsley, Kansas. To this union was born a son named Wyatt Tyler, on September 3, 2008. They made their home on a farm in rural Ludell, Kansas. She treasured time with Tim and Wyatt on the farm raising Corgi dogs and working with cattle, goats, chickens, and any otheranimal she could talk Tim into buying for her. The family attended St.Mary's Catholic Church in Herndon and Alicia belonged to the ChristianMother's Altar Society.

Her joy was helping everyone. She worked as a Certified Nurse Aide through college and later as a Rawlins County Dispatcher. In 2007, Alicia began her career as a licensed mental health practitioner. She and Lindsay McConville formed a partnership to open a successful private practice called Ambience Counseling Center in McCook, Nebraska. She was a member of the National Board of Certified Counselors.

Alicia enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She loved traveling and was always ready for that next fun experience. Everyone was affected by her good attitude and infectious laugh.

In May 2010, Alicia was diagnosed with adrenal cancer. She researched and met with some of the world's best doctors, but the cancer was too aggressive to overcome. Alicia passed away peacefully in her husband's arms at her home on Saturday, March 12, 2011, at the age of 29.

Survivors include her husband, Tim Rippe, of rural Ludell; son, Wyatt Rippe, of the home; parents, Kevin and Jeanette Burkhalter, of Bird City; brother, Beau Burkhalter, of Manhattan; sister, Jenna Dare and husband Jonathan, and nephews, Jordan and Colin Dare, all of Henderson, CO; grandmother, Mary Schwerdt, of Benkelman, NE; in-laws, Richard and Theresa Rippe, of rural Ludell; two brothers-in-law, Kevin Rippe and wife Megan, and nieces, Lilly, Michaela, Allison, and Kimberly, all of rural Ludell, and Rodney Rippe and fiancé Katelyn Clark, of Hays; sister-in-law, Brenda Schilde and husband Aaron, and niece, Addison, all of Minneola; in addition to other family and many friends.

Alicia was preceded in death by four grandparents, Arthur "Dude" Burkhalter, Irene Burkhalter, Kermit Downing, and Don Schwerdt; aunt, CherylWilkens; uncle, Greg Downing; and cousin, Ryan Sloan.

Final Resting Place: St. Mary's Cemetery.

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