Carol Jean (Ripperton) Mills

Carol Jean Mills, 82, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the Edgewood Convalescent Home in Edgewood.  She was born on June 7, 1942, in Mora, Minnesota, the daughter of Gordon and Ethel (Smith) Ripperton. Carol attended Hopkinton School before moving and graduating from Sturgis High School in South Dakota in 1960.

Carol lived most of her life in South Dakota and Iowa. While in Manchester she was known as a great cook at Manchester Livestock sale barn. She was united in marriage to David Chaffee until his death.  Carol was then married to Willie Rossow. The couple later divorced.  She was then married to LaVerne Mills until his death. Carol lived in Manchester her last five years.

Survivors include her stepson, Steven (Deb) Chaffee of Oklahoma; granddaughter, Lauren Chaffee of Texas; two sisters, LaVonne Ricklefs and Mary Fonck of Manchester; and several nieces and nephews.

Carol was preceded in death by her two husbands, David Chaffee and LaVerne Mills; and her two sons, Shane and Shawn Chaffee.

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