Deloris Jean Dipp

Deloris Jean (Owen) Dipp passed away on Monday, June 22, 2020 at the age of 88. She was born in Hastings, Michigan on September 23, 1931 to George and Florence (Hawkins) Owen. She was the oldest of 5 siblings. Her growing up years were spent in Hastings. In her sophomore year of high school, the family moved to Freeport, Michigan. Deloris graduated from Freeport High School in 1949 and attended Barry County Normal School to become an elementary school teacher. She loved teaching and all the friendships she made during a career that lasted 36 years. She started teaching in one room schools in Barry County and ended her teaching career in 1986 for Hastings Area Schools teaching 6th grade.

On June 10, 1950, she married the love of her life, Ernest Dipp, and together they farmed over 150 acres, raised two children, and traveled the world.

Deloris is now reunited with her dear Ernest, her beloved grandmother, Mary Hawkins, her parents, George and Florence (Hawkins) Owen, her brothers and their wives, Albert and Marian Owen, Tom and Imagene Owen, Ron Owen, her in-laws, William and Gladys (Pinney) Dipp, William and Maxine Dipp, Emily Mokma, Stu Boonenberg, Clare and Marian Dipp, Lorelle Dipp,  and her very best friends of all time, Clifford and Lois Andrus.

Those living to carry on her memory and the stories she told are her children Frank and Beverly (Dipp) Baron of Caledonia, and Bryan Dipp and Mary Walton of Freeport. Grandchildren Christopher and Angela (Dipp) Miller of Grand Rapids, and Michael and Jennifer (Walsh) Baron of Middleville. Great grandchildren Makenzie Miller and Lilianna, Jeremy and Kaitlynn Baron. Sister Barbara (Owen) McKee, Sisters in-law Valerie Owen and Evelyn Boonenberg, a host of nieces and nephews, and much loved friends, Joyce Feltzer, Cheryl Gurnsey, and the Andrus kids.

Deloris was very proud of the fact that she lived with diabetes for over 60 years. We are thankful to Dr. Stewart, and Dr. VanderLaan for their many years of care and friendship. Shortly after retiring from teaching, Mom had the opportunity to serve as Carlton Township Clerk.

Deloris loved being a teacher whether it was in the classroom, with a pack of Cub Scouts, or a group of visitors at the Freeport Historical Museum. Deloris helped form the Freeport Historical Society, and later was one of the founding members of the Freeport Historical Museum.  She poured her heart into the museum with the goal of making it a showpiece for the community.

In her retirement, Deloris took up quilting.  She loved the challenge of creating quilts and then handquilting or machine quilting them.  She kept family and friends supplied in quilts for untold Christmases, weddings, and babies. She was also responsible for supplying over 100 quilts to the Sunny Crest Boys Home in Sunfield, Michigan.

Cremation has taken place.  A Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 29th from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S Broadway; Hastings, MI  49058 with a Memorial Service on Friday, October 30, 2020 at 1:00 PM at the funeral home.  Per the latest COVID mandates, masks will be required and 70 persons will be allowed to gather indoors.  The service will be livestreamed and can be watched from at www.facebook.com/GirrbachFuneralHome .  You do NOT need a Facebook Account to view the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Freeport Historical Society and to the Hope Church of the Brethren Quilters.

In her own words, "I've had a great ride through life!"  Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home.  To leave an online condolence, visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net .