Belva Jipson

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at the Graceville Community Center. Visitation will be held at Mundwiler and Larson Funeral Home of Graceville on Friday evening, September 6, from 5 -7:30 p.m. with a prayer service beginning at 7 p.m. and continue one hour prior to the service at the center. Reverend Karen Evenson will officiate. Casket bearers will be her granddaughters: Debbie Walter, Jane O'Connor, Kay Litch, Lori Fehr, Amy Jipson, and Rachel Jipson. Honorary bearers will be her grandsons: James Jerpseth, Bruce Jerpseth, Craig Jerpseth, Scott Boehning, Allen Boehning Steve Jipson, Derek Jipson, Adam Jipson, Andrew Jipson, and Anthony Satran. Burial will be in the Consolidated Cemetery.

Belva Mae Jipson was born to James and Mary Frances (Perry) Cook on May 2, 1917, in Stevens County, MN. She graduated from Herman High School and attended one year of Northwestern Bible College. On October 14, 1936, Belva was united in marriage to Ralph Alfonso Jipson in the Methodist parsonage in Herman, MN. To this union five children were born. After eight years of farming in Chokio, Ralph and Belva made their home on "The Farm" north of Graceville, where they lived for over 60 years.

Belva and Ralph were a tight farm team and she was instrumental in the work to be done. Their relationship and the love they shared was the most important legacy they left their family. In her spare time she gardened – vegetables and flowers, played cards, and was a voracious reader. Belva was a wonderful cook. Pancakes were served every morning except Sunday and the smell of freshly baked bread was a frequent pleasure! She and Ralph enjoyed their winter travels. Belva's passion was her family and the time they spent with one another. She was a devoted member of United Church of Christ in Graceville. One of Belva's family's cherished memories were the prayers she prayed before each meal.

Belva died on September 2, 2013, having reached the age of 96.

Left with her loving memory are her children: Jerry (Annie) Jipson of Graceville, MN; Dennis (Dee) Jipson of Dumont, MN; daughter-in-law Donna Jipson of Graceville, MN; 16 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren; five great great grandchildren; and sister-in-law Lillian Benham of Morris, MN.

Belva was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph, on February 24, 2011; her son Harry Jipson; her daughters: Jeanne Jerpseth and Eileen Boehning; and one grandson, Royal Boehning.