Our amazing Mother, Frances Ripps Beavers Rathweg passed away on December 12, 2025, almost making it to 100 years old which was her longtime goal. She was born on August 28, 1927, to Lisetta Kappelmann Ripps and August Stephen Ripps in Poteet, Tx. She was raised with her brother, Alvin, in a farming community in Pleasanton, Tx. where she climbed trees, ran barefoot and played in the Atascosa River. Her parents divorced when she was a young girl and her mother moved the family to San Antonio. Frances attended Blessed Sacrament Academy and graduated in 1945.
She married Harold Houston Beavers in 1946 and had 3 daughters, Linda, Shirley and Bette. They were divorced in 1953. After her divorce, she relied on her Mother, her faith and her innate determination to provide for her family. She began working at Kelly AFB where she worked 30 years before retiring in 1983.
Throughout her life, Frances was one-of-a-kind. She was strong-willed, independent, savvy, and outspoken. She was an impeccable dresser, a gifted dancer, loved jewelry and instilled most of these traits in her daughters! She grew up in a generation that valued social gatherings, and Frances loved meeting people. She belonged to many clubs and enthusiastically participated in all of them: St. John Berchman and St. Luke Church Choirs, Sultana, Altar Society, Hermann Sons, and Bridge Clubs. She was the last active, original founding member of her Canasta Club that spanned 50 years.
While attending St. Luke Catholic Church, she met Donald Rathweg. They were married fourteen years before he predeceased her in 2005. She spent the last 8 years residing at Villa de San Antonio in the Independent Living Section. She participated in the daily activities and loved Bingo!
We want to give special thanks to her cousin, Barbara Durkin and to Sister Margaret Doyle for their monumental help over the years visiting, taking to appointments, and simply being friends with our Mother. We also want to thank the staff at Villa de San Antonio for the kindness they always displayed to her.
Frances was preceded in death by her parents; an infant brother, Ralph; brother, Alvin Ripps; husband, Don Rathweg; and son-in-law, B. Bernard Lankford, Jr. She is survived by her daughters, Dr. Linda Couch (John Chesser), Shirley Stowe (Dr. Robert Stowe), and Bette Lankford; 4 Grandchildren - Christoper Couch (Candice), Emily Kirby (Brian), Gregory Couch (Charlotte), and Matthew Machacek (Katie); and 7 Great-Granddaughters - Elizabeth, Abigail, Alexandra, Isabella, Beatrice, Penelope, and Merritt.
Private graveside service will be held at San Fernando Cemetery where Frances will be interred next to her Mother, with Deacon Jack Nichols officiating.
