Vivian Rosemary Kipp

Saturday, September 30, 2023 9:48 pm

Vivian R. Kipp, 96, of Waukon, passed away into the arms of her Heavenly Father on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at her home in Waukon, with her family by her side.

Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, Oct. 4, at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may greet the family from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Martin – Grau Funeral Home in Waukon where there will be a 3:30 p.m. scripture service and a 6:30 p.m. Rosary. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Patrick Catholic School and Church.

Vivian Rosemary Pauley was born on Oct. 23, 1926, in Omaha, Neb. The daughter of John, a farmer, and Mary Pauley, a school teacher, a strong work ethic was instilled as she grew up. With the early death of her father, Vivian and her mother Mary moved to live near relatives in Keokuk County during her early years. An only child, Vivian’s many first cousins were essentially her siblings and best friends. She attended Iowa State Teacher’s College where she received her Iowa State Teacher’s Certificate, and afterwards, taught shorthand and bookkeeping, in Ridgeway. She roomed with her future sister-in-law Colette. There she met Kenneth, Colette’s brother, and they dated and soon married on Sept. 30, 1947, at St. Mary’s Parish in Harlan, Iowa. They then settled on the family farm in rural Castalia, Iowa. To this marriage were born 16 children, 12 of whom survived after birth. The family moved to Waukon in 1969, where they continued to raise their family. Parenting with love, Vivian and Kenneth imparted a strong faith in God and the value of education and hard work in their children’s lives.

A devoted member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Vivian’s life focus was her faith and her family. She frequently attended Mass and spent many hours in prayer each day, graciously offering sacrifices for the safety and wellbeing of her family and friends’ intentions. Vivian enjoyed the friendship of many community members through her participation in local organizations throughout the years, including the Tuesday Club in Castalia, and the St. Jude Study Club and the Toastmistress Club in Waukon.

After many years as a homemaker, Vivian returned to work as secretary for Mayor White in Waukon. She enjoyed reading non-fiction, and her love for reading led her to apply for a position as an assistant to the librarian. She also enjoyed reading the Harlan paper, the hometown newspaper from where her many relatives resided. Vivian had a great curiosity in history, took interest in the daily news in Washington, and enjoyed traveling with her children to many other parts of the country including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Delaware, Virginia, and Washington, DC. A loving mother and grandmother, Vivian cherished many special times with her family. She felt great pride in her many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. With her gentle, compassionate nature, Vivian was loved and honored by each of her in-law children.

Surviving are eleven children: Dean, Lucy Lawson, and Ron (Vickie) Kipp, all of Waukon; Ann (Norman) Schultz of Postville; Mary (Mike) Kitun of Glen Ellyn, Ill.; Donna (Tim) Benson of Lake Frederick, Va.; Dale (Barbara) Kipp of Big Lake, Minn.; Anthony (Cathy) Kipp of Leesburg, Va.; Theresa (Dale) Dobroth of Mukwonago, Wis.; Ken Kipp, Jr. of Chippewa Falls, Wis.; and Caroline (Kevin) Kelleher of Lovettsville, Va. She is also survived by 16 adoring grandchildren: Scott (Jen) Kitun, Heidi Benson, Kara (Steve) Schultz Nudo, Ryan Schultz, Alisa (David) Shreve, Joshua, Christen, and Andy Lawson, Matthew (Sarah) Kipp, Laura and Brian Dobroth, Jenni (John) and Johnny Viscusi, Ashley (Bobby) Martinez, Michael and Alicia Kelleher; and 7 great-grandchildren: Katelyn Lawson, Layla Shreve, Landon and Logan Kipp, Vivian and Georgia Kitun, and Quinn McQuide; her sister-in-law Colette Dahms, and her nieces and nephews of Decorah, Maureen (George) TeKippe, Marilyn (Tony) Meyer, Dave (Laura) Dahms, and their families.

Vivian is preceded in death by her parents, Mary and John Pauley, her husband Kenneth, her son Daryl, and her mother-in-law and father-in-law Margaret and Anthony Kipp, and brother-in-law Wayne Dahms. Vivian’s memory will be cherished by all who loved and knew her.

Vivian’s family would like to thank the many caretakers who have supported her and the entire family during the time she needed care, including Veteran’s Memorial Home Care, the Hospice Team, Kenny Baumler, Jim Magner, and other neighbors and friends who visited frequently during her care.