Stephenie Rypien, 90, of Athabasca, died peacefully on July 2, 2017, at Athabasca Extendicare with her children at her side. She was born February 25, 1927 in Athabasca, Alberta. Stephenie was raised on the family farm in the Sawdy District. She completed her Certified Nurses training and worked in various towns in Alberta and British Columbia before returning to Athabasca. In 1954, she married Bruno Rypien and raised two children on a farm near to her family home. After Bruno’s passing in 1987, she remained on the farm until a year ago where she then resided at Athabasca Extendicare.
Survivors include her two children, Debra (Dave) Shalapay of Athabasca, and Thom Rypien of Spruce Grove, AB and grandchildren Tim (Dawn) Shalapay, Keith Shalapay, Travis (Erica) Shalapay and Cody Shalapay, and great granddaughter Abby Shalapay. She is also survived by her brother Victor Sypos of Athabasca, and sister Elsie Fuhr of Edmonton, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Stephenie was preceded in death by her parents, John and Caroline Sypos, siblings Joe Wrangler, Mary Rypien, and Alma Richards.
Private services and burial were held at Athabasca United Church on July 7th, with internment in the Athabasca Cemetery., Memorial donations may be made to Athabasca Extendicare, or the Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation in Edmonton.