Josephine Kipp

Josephine Kipp, age 81, of Graceville, MN, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on Wednesday, October 27, 2021.

A Memorial Mass for Josephine and Roger will be held on Monday, November 8, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Graceville, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the Mass at church on Monday.

The service will be livestreamed and recorded and will be available at the bottom Roger’s obituary page.

Josephine Agnes (Ritter) Kipp was born on April 9, 1940, in Chokio, MN, to Mathias Henry and Agnes Irene (Pahl) Ritter. She grew up in the Chokio area and graduated from Morris High School with the Class of 1958.

Jo was kindhearted and a hard worker, she was always willing to help wherever and whenever she could. Being a gifted cook and baker, she enjoyed working in different restaurants and cafes in the Graceville area over the years including, The Red Lantern and the CC Café. Jo also cleaned at various businesses in town throughout her life. Jo met her future husband Roger while working at her aunt’s restaurant in Graceville. Jo and Roger were united in marriage on May 9, 1959. They made their home in Graceville and raised their six children: Dean, Deborah, Dennis, Douglas, Dominic, and Daryl.

Jo enjoyed watching softball at the park in the summer when Roger was umping the games and was always happy to help make the food for D.O.’s softball tournaments. Jo liked to watch sports and went to many high school sporting events with Roger. She loved to go fishing in the summer and always looked forward to Kevin and Gail’s annual fishing tournament. Jo was a faithful member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Graceville.

Hunting was a big part of the Kipp family and Jo enjoyed when family and friends gathered at the house for hunting. She was always happy to feed hungry hunters and have some goodies baked for them. Jo loved spending time with her family and would travel to as many of the grandchildren’s activities as she could. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Josephine is survived by her sons: Dean Kipp of Graceville, MN; Dennis Kipp of Graceville, MN; Douglas Kipp of Moorhead, MN; Dominic (Kristi) Kipp of Fargo, ND; and Daryl (Sara) Kipp of Fergus Falls, MN; nine grandchildren: Callie Jo Kipp, Austin Kipp, Kara (Ryan) Schmidt, Marc Fuhrman, Lauren Bale (Cameron Carlson), Michael Bale (Katie Kokett), Josie Kipp, Dane (Nicolle) Kipp, and Jesse Kipp (Grace Elijah); six great-grandchildren: Maddox Giessinger, Declan Kipp, Carter Carlson, Cade Carlson, Owen Schmidt, and Nora Schmidt; sister, Caroline Schefers; brothers: David (Nancy) Plath and Delvin (Nikki) Plath; sister-in-law, Ann Ritter; along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Preceding her in death are her husband of 62 years, Roger (only a week before her); daughter, Deborah Jean Kipp; her parents; stepfather, Orville Plath; brothers: Paul (Patricia) Ritter and Mathias Ritter, Jr.; sister, Marie Anderson; and brother-in-law, Cletus Schefers.

Roger Kipp, age 82, of Graceville, MN, passed away on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at Pioneer Care Center in Fergus Falls, MN.

A Memorial Mass for Roger and Josephine will be held on Monday, November 8, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Graceville, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the Mass at church on Monday.

The service will be livestreamed and recorded and will be available at the bottom of this page.

Roger Eugene Kipp was born on September 4, 1939, in Graceville, MN, to Frank and Francis (Wenthold) Kipp. He grew up in the Graceville area and graduated from Graceville High School with the Class of 1958.

On May 9, 1959, Roger was united in marriage with Josephine Ritter. Together, they raised six children: Dean, Deborah, Dennis, Douglas, Dominic, and Daryl.

Always a hard worker, Roger did what he could to put food on the table for his family. He operated the grave opening and closing business with his friend, Mike Fischer, in the Graceville area for many years and always had his boys to help him, of course. Roger painted many houses and repaired many roofs in the community as well. He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, was on the City Council in Graceville, and was a volunteer fire fighter for the Graceville Fire Department. He was a custodian for the Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley High School for many years.

In 1982, Roger decided to quit drinking and joined Alcoholics Anonymous. Since he joined, he was very active in A.A., made many new friends, and helped other people with their difficulties with addiction.

Roger enjoyed hunting, fishing, and was an avid sports fan. He watched local games and followed professional sports teams too (even admitting to being a fan of the Boston Celtics and the New York Yankees although he was a die-hard Minnesota fan). Roger coached many children in sports throughout the years, including his own. He was an umpire for many softball games, for both local and away games. Roger was a Poker champion but also played very competitive games of Pinochle and Buck Euchre. He loved the Graceville community and was always ready to help a neighbor in need. Roger played the infamous Santa Clause for the people of Graceville for many, many years. Many neighbors, friends, and relatives will miss seeing him on his three-wheeled bicycle with the basket on the front and American flag on the back that Craig “Magic” Johnson taught him how to ride.

Roger is survived by his wife of 62 years, Josephine “Jo” Kipp of Graceville, MN; sons: Dean Kipp of Graceville, MN; Dennis Kipp of Graceville, MN; Douglas Kipp of Moorhead, MN; Dominic (Kristi) Kipp of Fargo, ND; and Daryl (Sara) Kipp of Fergus Falls, MN; nine grandchildren: Callie Jo Kipp, Austin Kipp, Kara (Ryan) Schmidt, Marc Fuhrman, Lauren Bale (Cameron Carlson), Michael Bale (Katie Kokett), Josie Kipp, Dane (Nicolle) Kipp, and Jesse Kipp (Grace Elijah); six great-grandchildren: Maddox Giessinger, Declan Kipp, Carter Carlson, Cade Carlson, Owen Schmidt, and Nora Schmidt; sister-in-law, Delores “Tootie” Eastman; along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Preceding him in death are his parents; daughter, Deborah Jean Kipp; twin siblings: Frankie “Stub” Kipp and Francis (Lawrence) Swezey; sisters: Viola (Gene) Pullis, Vivian (Jack) Ludowese, and Eunice (Irvin) Klicker; nephews: Bruce Swezey and Michael Ludowese; and niece, Jackie Reynolds.

“A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Roger’s name be made to the CGB Sports Boosters Club.