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- Hubert C. Sippel (Hubie) tended his garden well into his 92nd year; he died Dec. 29, 2011, after a short struggle with pancreatic cancer. His life illustrated what Sydney Eddison wrote, "Gardens are a form of autobiography"--words are inadequate to describe Hubie's life compared to his apples, raspberries, strawberries, vegetables, and his incomparable autumn squash.
Hubie was born Nov. 3, 1919, in St. Cloud, Wis., son of Edwin and Rose Sippel. He is survived by one sister, Vangie, and a brother, Howard, who mourn the loss of their brother. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by brothers, Harold, Eugene, Vernon (Bud), and sisters, Vernetta and Laura.
Hubert married Eleanor Thelen, Ashford, Jun. 29, 1948, and they celebrated their 50th anniversary not long before she died in Oct. of 1999. Together they lived in St. Cloud and raised six children in a home he expanded to meet their needs, just next door to the house in which he grew up. Their home betrayed Hubert's formative years during the depression and his work as an electrician--every square inch of garage and basement were covered with scrap metal, wood, nuts, bolts, and wire because "a guy never knows when he might need that!"
They taught their children the value of raising and preserving their own food (that is, they learned as two other avid gardeners once wrote "to love their garden whether they like it or not!"). Perhaps the greatest tragedy in his life came when his son and friend, Donald, died unexpectedly in 2010. Hubert, Eleanor, and Don are remembered and mourned by Carol (DePere); Patricia and Craig Dreger (Oshkosh); Diane (wife of Don) Sippel (Fond du Lac); Randall and Chris (St. Paul); Laura (Fond du Lac); and Kristen and Dean Rodeheaver (Green Bay).
The family shared a love of the Packers, Cubs, and Brewers. In his final years, Hubert was a great fan of his children's and, especially, his grandchildren's activities: Don and Diane's children, Nathan (wife Betsy) and Kelly, Pat and Craig's children, Josh and Alyssa, Randall and Chris's children, Zach and Carly, and Kristen and Dean's children, Eli and Kaia. He never seemed to get tired of watching his children and grandchildren play softball, soccer, football, and baseball.
The family wishes to thank Green Bay Oncology, and the staff of St. Francis Home and St. Clare Terrace.
Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4, at St. Isidore Parish St. Cloud Church, 924 Main Street, St. Cloud, Wis. Rev. Steven Kropp OFM Cap. will officiate.
Family and friends may call at Sippel Funeral Home 1311 Thorp Street, St. Cloud on Wednesday morning from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hubert Sippel memorial fund.
An unknown author once said, "The best fertilizer is the gardener's shadow." Hubert can rest in peace knowing that his shadow will continue to fertilize gardens long after his passing.
For additional information, please call the Sippel Funeral Home in St. Cloud (920) 999-2291 or visit www.sippelfuneralhome.net
Published in Green Bay Press-Gazette on January 3, 2012
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1919 - 2011 (92 years)
