Gordon William Hippen

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Hippen, Gordon William 75, of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, passed away Saturday, October 25, 2014 at home with his family. A Mass of the Resurrection will be 10:30 Tuesday, October 28 at Blessed Teresa Of Calcutta Catholic Church in Dakota Dunes with Rev. Joe Vogel officiating. Visitation will be 5 to 7 Monday at the church with a Parish Vigil at 7. Burial will be 4:00 Tuesday in St. Lawrence Cemetery in Mil-bank, South Dakota. Gordy was born July 25, 1939, in Wilmot, South Dakota to John and Rosella (Hoffman) Hippen. He was raised in Wilmot and graduated from Wilmot High School in 1957. Gordy attended Augustana and Northern colleges studying business. On August 4, 1962, Gordy married his childhood sweetheart and love of his life, Helen Jurgens. The two lived a fortunate and blessed life together for the past 52 years. Helen dedicated the last two years caring for Gordy as he fought chronic illness. Gordy spent his entire career with SUPERVALU Inc. retiring as an executive in 1995. He and Helen then spent several years enjoying life on the lake in Ortonville, MN, slipping away for winters in Lake Havasu City, AZ. They then built their dream home in Dakota Dunes, SD in 2007. In his free time, Gordy loved to golf, hunt, fish, boat, water & snow ski and to spend time with family. Year-round, whether in the Midwest or Arizona, you could find Gordy and Helen on the golf course several days a week. They also enjoyed downhill skiing in Park City, UT each January and often joined daughter Lisa and family in Lake Tahoe for winter and summer fun. In the fall, he, his son Bill and granddaughters could be found hunting through the fields in South Dakota or Nebraska. Gordy loved watching his grandchildren grow. Gordy was a member of Blessed Teresa Of Calcutta Church. He was a man of strong faith who enjoyed singing in the choir. His joy of singing went well beyond Mass and his family will fondly remember his holiday, anniversary, and birthday greetings along with his rendition of "God Bless America." Gordy is survived by his wife, Helen (Jurgens) Hippen of Dakota Dunes; his children, Bill (Carmen) Hippen of Omaha, NE, and Lisa (Jeff) Cuppett of Los Altos, CA; four grandchildren, Alex and Hannah Hippen, Kaitlyn and Aidan Cuppett; his brother, Richard (Angie) Hippen; his sister, Gayle (Gary) Garber; brothers-in-law, Leon (Shirley) and Tim (Donna) Jurgens; sister-in-law, Betty (Dell) Barsness; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Kaye.Memorials may be directed to Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church or St. Francis Mission in St. Francis, SD.

Published on October 27, 2014