Norma Jean Lipp
Norma Jean Lipp, age 83, passed away with her family at her side on Friday August 27, 2010 at
Kalispell Regional Medical Center. Norma was born on February 16, 1927 in Colo, Iowa to
Virgil and Rozetta (Hartman) McKinney. Norma was raised in Colo, Iowa where she attended
schools. She graduated from Northern Montana College in Havre, with a B.A. Degree in
Education. She worked as an elementary teacher in Hingham, Montana for 25 plus wonderful
years. Norma married Frank Lipp, on December 28, 1948 in Colo, Iowa. They had 44 great years
together before Frank passed away. They truly enjoyed living the life of wheat
farmers. She was a member of the Our Lady of Ransom Catholic Church Alter
Society in Hingham, a member of Risen Christ Catholic Church in Kalispell, a long time
volunteer at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, Senior Student at FVCC, AAUW, was given
the Soroptimist Service Award, and had served as the Vice President of the Buffalo Hills
Residence Group. She enjoyed traveling, and had traveled to many places. She loved music,
teaching, gardening, writing and sharing her poetry with others. Norma loved
spending time with her family and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents,
Virgil and Rozetta McKinney, her husband Frank Lipp, a daughter Rose Marie Lipp, and two
sisters, Muriel Burka and Naomi Cook. Norma is survived by her children, Alan and Penni Lipp
of Havre, Jerry and Barb Lipp, Francie Lipp and Nick Russin, and Joanne Ferrell all of Kalispell,
Mike and Joan Lipp of Hingham, and Linda and Leon Kappes of Elko, Nevada, a
brother Wayne McKinney, Sr. of Des Moines, Iowa, Grandchildren
Davis Miller, Andrew Miller, Katie Martin, Heidi Lipp, Christopher Lipp, Jessica Pitt, Dustin
Kappes, Kallie Kappes, Dillon Lipp, Shellby Lipp and Nicholas Ferrell, great grandchildren
Alexandria Pitt and Brody Miller, and numerous nieces and nephews. A special thank you from
Norma’s family to our dear friend and neighbor Joyce Spicher.