Marilyn Ann (Thompson) Sipple, wife of Marin Township Trustee Jack Sipple and mother of four children and five grandchildren, died Friday at the age of 78.
Marilyn was born Feb. 24, 1942, in Allegan, to Paul and Anna (Schafer) Thompson. She received her associate’s degree from Western Michigan University and worked as a teacher in Title I at Martin Public Schools for more than 10 years. Marilyn was passionate about education and worked hard to make sure that each student she served could be successful.
Marilyn grew up in the Allegan area, one of five brothers and sisters. Her fondest memories of childhood were sledding in the yard during the winter time and wearing matching outfits that were hand-sewn by her mother for her twin sister Carolyn and her.
Marilyn married Jack Ronald Sipple, a farmer from Martin, Michigan. in 1962. They first met at a square dance and Jack, being a gentleman, asked Marilyn’s older brother Paul if he could give her a ride home. Paul consented and the two began courting.
Jack and Marilyn spent their 58 years together working hard side-by-side on their dairy farm and enjoying family life with their children and grandchildren. While they always called Martin home, they made a point to explore far-off places together, including Alaska, Switzerland, Hawaii and England.
The two also volunteered much of their free time building churches and schools through an organization called Builders for Christ. The projects took them all over the United States, leading them to meet many like-minded friends, many of whom they are still in touch with.
Marilyn will be remembered by her children as a compassionate and intentional mother. She was first blessed with three daughters—Kathy, Christy, and Karen. When she gave birth to a son a number of years later, she recalled that Jack was so excited, he called all the neighbors to share the good news: “It’s a boy!”
Marilyn also was involved in 4-H events and that taught her children how to care for their animals and helped them get ready for the fair. She made sure the family took a vacation each year—whether it was to Gun Lake, Cedar Point, or the Sleeping Bear Dunes.
She took pride in her five grandchildren—John, Breyanna, Alli, Megan and Casey. She enjoyed teaching them to make applesauce, bake, sew, and garden; and in turn, they taught her new card games and took her on golf cart rides around the farm.. She added another grandson when her granddaughter, Megan, married Kris Ward.
She was a longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Allegan, serving as a Sunday School teacher for 35 years and as a Ladies Aid officer and member.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her daughter, Kathleen Lane; her father Paul, mother, Anna, brother-in-law Carl Sandahl, and sister-in-law Sharon Kelly (Roger).
She is survived by her husband Jack; children Christine DeBruyn (Arthur), Karen Hildebrand (Ted), Kirt Sipple; son-in-law Terry Lane; grandchildren John Waldsmith, Allison DeBruyn, Breyanna Waldsmith, Megan Ward (Kristopher), Catherine DeBruyn; siblings Maxine Sandahl, Bernice Wentzel (Charles), Paul Thompson (Sara), Lawrence Thompson (Sharon), Carolyn Miner (Don); sister-in-law Joyce Suhusky (Frank); and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31, at Gorden Funeral Residence, Allegan Chapel. The funeral service will take place at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Burial will follow in the New East Martin Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1764 34th St., Allegan, MI 49010; or to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, 222 N. Kalamazoo Mall, Suite 100, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
