The Grand Marshal of the 2025 Christmas Parade in Liberty is Mary Jane Hartel Ripkowski — “Mrs. Rip” to generations of Liberty families. At 98 years old, she has lived nearly her entire life in Liberty, a place she has loved with her whole heart.
Her story in Liberty began when her parents, Blanche and Artie Hartel, moved the family from Hull into the house across from the Catholic church after her father became president of First Liberty National Bank. She and her siblings, Joe Ann and Jack, grew up in Liberty ISD, where Mrs. Rip cheered from the sidelines and wore jersey No. 1 as a half-court basketball player at Liberty High School.
After high school, she attended Incarnate Word in San Antonio before transferring to Sam Houston State University in Huntsville — a move she celebrated because it brought her closer to home. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education and returned to Liberty, working for seven years at First Liberty National Bank alongside her father.
She later married Herman Ripkowski, and together they raised four children — Artie, David, Jo Beth and Amy. Her love for Liberty never faded; she and Herman built a home next door to the one where she grew up. It is still her home today.
When her youngest started school in 1970, Mrs. Rip stepped into the career she was born for. She taught PE at Sam Houston Elementary and Liberty Junior High before joining Liberty High School. There, she coached volleyball and track, taught PE, health, special education and driver’s education, and helped shape countless Homecoming traditions.
But nothing mattered to her quite like the Prancers. For 29 years, she devoted her heart to the drill team she lovingly called “her girls.” Many still stay in touch — a testament to the impact she made.
Even after retiring from full-time teaching following a 40-year career, Mrs. Rip continued substituting in law enforcement classes. Former students often bring their own children to her home on Halloween just to say hello to the teacher who meant so much to them. When she turned 90, Liberty High School honored her with a hallway parade, complete with the band, signs and students cheering as she passed by.
Today, Mrs. Rip remains one of Liberty’s most faithful supporters. She stays involved in her church, cheers on the Liberty Panthers, attends every parade she can, and never misses a chance to watch her great-grandchildren play cheer, soccer, baseball or softball.
No one reflects the spirit of Liberty quite like Mrs. Rip — and no one loves living in Liberty, Texas, more than she does.