William H. Ribbel

William H. Ribbel, age 90, of Brainerd, died Thursday, January 28, 2021 at Cedar Park Medical Center, in Center Park, Texas.

Bill was born April 17, 1930 in Brainerd, the son of George and Myrtle Ribbel.  After graduating from Washington high school, he continued his education at the University of Minnesota, graduating from the school of Dentistry with his D.D.S.. Bill and his wife Joanne then moved to the Mountain Home, Idaho where Bill served as a Captain in the United States Air Force providing dental services to Military personnel.  In 1957 Bill and his family moved back to Brainerd where Bill joined his father, George’s dental practice.  His grandfather, Dr. Henri Ribbel was the first Dentist in Brainerd opening his practice in 1883, and Bill’s father, Dr. George Ribbel, joined his practice after WW1.  Dr. William Ribbel continued to practice dentistry in Brainerd until 1991 which completed a span of 108 years of dental services provided to the people of Brainerd and the surrounding region. Bill also served his community by providing dental services to residents of the Brainerd State Hospital.  He was a long-time member of the Rotary Club and served as President 1964-65.

Bill loved his family and friends and enjoyed his summers at his Gull Lake home in Brainerd and winters in Austin, Texas.  He loved all activities that lake life had to offer, especially golfing, boating, and time spent with friends and family.  Bill was a loving and generous husband and father that formed the foundation of his children’s lives. He will be greatly missed, but forever in the hearts of those he leaves behind.

Bill is survived by his wife of 20 years, Joanne Wright Knaggs; four children, Suzanne Frambers, Steven (Miriam Webber) Ribbel, William (Deborah Jacobs) Ribbel, and Catherine (Stephen) Edel; three grandchildren, Kay (Bradley) Olson, Jeannie (Ryan) Berg, and Anna Ribbel; sister, Mary (Mike) Kendall, stepchildren, Bart (Barbara Scroggie) Knaggs, Ryan (Courtney George) Knaggs, and lisa knaggs; step grandchildren, Frances Knaggs, Samantha Knaggs, Caroline Knaggs, Isabella Knaggs, Alexandra Knaggs Nick Miller and Andy Miller; step great-grandchildren, Emerson, Everett, Greta and Theodore Miller; widow of David Knaggs, Rhiannon Knaggs Sullivan; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Myrtle Ribbel; his wife of 41 years, Joanne Doran Ribbel; sisters, Marilyn (Marvin) Zeeb, Joan (Earl) DeRocher; stepson’ David Knaggs and son-in-law, H. David Frambers.

A memorial service will be held in his honor at a date yet to be determined.  In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to The Brainerd Lakes Area Foundation or St Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd, MN.

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