John A. Kipp

John A. Kipp On March 27, 2011 John "Jack" Kipp was welcomed into the comforting arms of God. Although Alzheimer's Disease stole so very much from Jack's final years, his death was one of dignity and great peace. He died in his home surrounded by his devoted family, in prayer. Jack was born February 4, 1934 in Marshfield, Wisconsin, to his loving parents, Mildgetha (Koenig) and Edward Kipp. Jack was the fourth of eleven children in his family. Jack graduated from Holy Cross Seminary in 1956 and earned his Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy from St. John's University (Collegville, MN) in 1960 and in 1970 he earned his Master's Degree in Divinity from Stanford University (Palo Alto, CA). From 1960 until 1970, Jack was a Roman Catholic chaplain for The Diocese of Lacrosse. Jack was dispensed from Holy Orders by Pope Paul VI. He was a social worker for Wausau Hospital from 1970 until 2000. In the thirty years that Jack worked at Wausau Hospital he never missed a day of work. After working at Wausau Hospital, Jack went on to work at the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Marathon County, Eastbay and The Church of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was his final job at The Church of the Resurrection where Jack again found fulfillment and great joy in serving God while caring for members of the faith community. Jack's family life began when he married Norma Fafford on June 29, 1974. His two daughters Kate and Molly marked two of the most beautiful moments his life. As the girls grew, Jack and Norma purchased a cabin (which had belonged to Norma's parents) on Weber Lake in Iron Belt, Wisconsin. This cabin became a source of great solace and rejuvenation- not to mention endless projects - for Jack and his family. It was Jack's greatest wish to be able to retire at the lake he so clearly loved. As his daughters grew into young women Jack was genuinely proud and honored to welcome two son-in-laws into his family. Even though Jack cherished and adored his first grand-dogs, Sadie, Finley and Blue and Hudson, it was his greatest hope to hold and know grandchildren and that hope was realized when Abigail Kate was born on August of 2009. Jack, in all facets of his life, lived the Golden Rule, "Do onto others as you would have done onto you." Jack treated all people with a tireless sense of respect and compassion- no matter who they were. At the core of Jack's definition of happy was his family. Jack also was a "walking encyclopedia" with a penchant for history, geography and literature. Jack was forever surrounded in beautiful music and amoung his favorites were musicals, operas, classical, Muppet Movie soundtracks and Barbara Streisand. He was a voracious reader and lifelong learner. He fancied himself an epicure- from his quest to creating The Perfect Meatloaf to making handmade bread- he would spend hours mixing and fixing foods in the family kitchen. Jack is survived by his wife, Norma (nee Fafford) Kipp of thirty-seven years and their beloved dog, Gus and cat, Olivia. He is also survived by his daughter Kate Kipp and her husband, Josh Nowinsky, Kronenwetter and daughter Molly Harrison, her husband, Fletcher Harrison and their daughter, Abigail Kate Harrison, Avon, Colorado. Jack is also survived by his siblings Sister Mary Dora Kipp of Marshfield, Wisconsin, Mary Ann Nelson of Wausau, Wisconsin, Paul (Barbara) Kipp of Penny Farms, Florida, Lorraine (Tom) Netzer of Marshfield, Wisconsin, Dorothy (Tom) Perry of Federal Way, Washington and Lucy (Pat) Mullen of Chicago, Illionois. Jack is also survived by Suzanne (Jack) Banach of Frederick, Maryland, Polly (Ed) DuRose of Roseville, Minnesota and Mary (Randy) Ahnen, Bessemer, Michigan. Jack is survived by numerous nieces and nephews who live throughout our community and country. Jack was preceded in death by both of his parents and his sister Alice Martel and brothers James Kipp, Walter Kipp and Michael Kipp. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Wausau. The Rev. Robert Thorn will preside with the Rev. James Schaefer and the Rev. William Grevatch as co-officiates. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Saxon. Friends may call on Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. until the time of services all at the church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Jack's honor to St. Matthew's Catholic Church Building Fund(Wausau, WI). The family would like to thank Jack's personal caregivers during this journey, Terry Nelsen, the late Carla Bennett-Nowak and Troy Sherwood. The family is also grateful for Asera Care Hospice, who both provided constant support and care but also allowed for Jack to remain at home . Jack's caregiving team at Asera Care included R'Shelle, Vicki, Kim V., Kim E., Tonya, Erin and Emily. Finally, the family is so appreciative of Dr. Bill Neitert of Aspirus-Kronenwetter Clinic for his generous heart, gentle sense of humor and unwavering commitment to Jack's care.