Grace Hippen

Grace Hippen, 78, of Wellsburg, Iowa, died Monday, December 11, 2006, at her home, while under the care of Cedar Valley Hospice and her family. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M., Thursday, December 14, 2006, at Faith Presbyterian Church, rural Ackley, Iowa, with Pastor Tim Diehl and Pastor Allen McClure officiating. Burial will follow at Faith Presbyterian Church Cemetery, rural Ackley, Iowa. Visitation will be Wednesday, December 13, 2006, from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., at Doyen-Abels Funeral Home in Wellsburg, where the family will be present to greet friends. A memorial fund has been established. To view the complete obituary or to send messages of condolence, please visit our website at www.abelsfuneralhomes.com.

Grace was born December 7, 1928, at home on the farm in rural Holland, Iowa, the daughter of John and Mary (Van der Werf) Boekhoff Sr. Grace attended country school at Colfax No. 4, rural Wellsburg. On March 21, 1949, Grace was united in marriage to Delbert Hippen at East Friesland Presbyterian Church, rural Ackley, Iowa. After their marriage, Delbert and Grace made their home in Wellsburg. Grace worked at the Farmers Produce in Wellsburg, candling eggs, and also for Herman Hippen in Wellsburg. She also babysat for several years. Grace did the bookkeeping for Delbert?s business-Hippen Shelling and Grinding, and also his feed business as well. Delbert and Grace also mowed the East Friesland Presbyterian Church Cemetery and the Faith Presbyterian Church Cemetery for many years.

She was a member of Faith Presbyterian Church, and was active in their ladies group-Women In The Church. Grace liked to cook and to clean. She enjoyed her garden and camping. She especially enjoyed going to garage sales, shopping, and attending craft shows. Grace liked being with her coffee club and going on bus trips. Grace loved to spend time with her family.

She is survived by her husband Delbert Hippen of Wellsburg, Iowa; two sons Craig Hippen and his wife Donna of Charles City, Iowa; Steve Hippen of Wellsburg, Iowa; one daughter Cindy Skramovsky and her husband Michael of Beaman, Iowa; two grandchildren Heather Eichenberger and her husband Jeremy of New Hampton, Iowa; Haley Hippen of West Des Moines, Iowa; two great-grandchildren Noah and Aleah Eichenberger of New Hampton, Iowa; two sisters Esther Smith and her husband Dale of Conrad, Iowa; Marlys Clark of Keokuk, Iowa; and one brother Arnold Boekhoff and his wife Deloris of Wellsburg, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one granddaughter Jennifer Jean Hippen; eight sisters Fannie, Anna, Jennie, Ella, Marie, Carrie, Lorine, and Evelyn; and eight brothers Ben, Dirk, Samuel, John Jr.; Ernest, Albert, Lawrence, and George; and one infant baby.