Myrna Opal Tripp

Myrna Opal Tripp, age 81, of Lakeland, Fla. passed away peacefully May 22, 2020 with her loving and supportive husband at her side. Due to COVID-19 and limitations on gatherings, a family get together will be held at a later date. 

Myrna Opal Tripp was born January 7, 1939, to Beulah Opal (Bunker) Riker and Claude Lester Riker, South Bend, Ind. Myrna referred to Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, Mich., as home during her childhood of selling oyster stew with her grandmother and hunting bullfrogs for dinner. She moved to Mabel, Minn., to raise her three sons. Although diminutive in size, she loomed large as she chased her mischievous sons down on a bike through the streets of Mabel, while working to make the community a safe place for families. Later she moved to the bluffs of Brownsville, Minn., where she and her family delighted in  a splendid view of the mighty Mississippi River before settling in sunny Lakeland, Fla., to enjoy her retirement.

Myrna is survived by her husband Neil Tripp and sons David, Douglas, and Daniel Selbee; eight grand-children, 22 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren; step-children Dean Tripp and Sandy Tripp Ash and families, as well as her many cousins, nieces and nephews who adored her; and her brother Leslie Riker and sister Judy Hatt. 

Myrna was preceded in death by her parents, Opal and Claude, siblings Theodor Judd, Forrest Judd, Anna Mae (Judd) Rybinsky, Loretta LaRee (Judd) Barber, William Riker, Terry Riker, and former husbands Lynn Selbee and Jerry Nelson.

Condolences can be sent to Neil Tripp, 2356 Golden Horseshoe Cir S, Lakeland, Fla. 33810.