Kelly Ripp

Kelly’s “𝒮𝓉𝑜𝓇𝓎”.

“Let’s get this party started!”

Those words perfectly capture the spirit of Kelly Ripp, a rural Nebraska woman whose vibrant personality has always had a way of radiating to everyone around her. Kelly has a gift for making people feel alive. She has always encouraged others, lifted them up, and reminded them to embrace and enjoy the life they’ve been given.

Horses became a part of Kelly’s world at a very young age. Her stepfather was an AQHA trainer and judge, so the horse arena became her second home early in life. She lived and breathed the horse world, showing 4-H and local shows throughout her youth, and AQHA into adulthood. Eventually, she discovered team penning and sorting—and quickly fell in love with the sport. The excitement, the speed, and the quick, controlled movements made every ride both a challenge and an adventure.

In her 30s, Kelly began experiencing persistent skin issues. She sought medical treatment and was continuously prescribed steroids, but nothing seemed to bring the symptoms under control. After years of chronic pain, hives, and scalding skin infections, along with much frustration, Kelly found herself in the ER with a new doctor who admitted her and immediately began looking for answers.  In December of 2025, she finally received some answers: a diagnosis of dermatomyositis, a rare autoimmune disease. The results also showed she was TIF1‑gamma positive, a marker associated with an increased risk of cancer. In March 2026, it was confirmed that Kelly had Melanoma of the skin.

The pain, treatments, and physical changes caused by her illness have taken a tremendous toll. Kelly—who once found so much joy in being around people—began withdrawing from the social situations she had always loved. She had to step away from her career in hospice healthcare, a job she deeply cherished and one that allowed her compassionate spirit to shine in the lives of others.

The woman whose personality once seemed to light up every room has found that light dimmed by circumstances beyond her control. Kelly has become secluded, often battling not only the physical challenges of her illness but also the emotional weight of changes to her appearance. At times, she has felt as though she has had to fight this fight all on her own.

But Kelly is still fighting.

She is still searching for reasons to smile.

She is still holding on to hope.

And she is still looking forward to the day she can get back to the things—and the people—she loves.

Because Kelly isn’t ready for the party to end.

She’s ready to “get this party started” again.

And when that day comes, there will be a whole lot of people cheering her on.