Obituary: Bippes, Leota B. “Lee”
Age 93
“Lee” (Age 93) Leota Bippes went home to be with her Lord April 22, 2013.
She was born July 25, 1919 in Bottineau, ND to Victor and Clara Johnson.
Leota grew up on a small farm with seven brothers and sisters.
She graduated from Bottineau High School and later married Arthur Gardner on September 17, 1938.
They raised seven children, five sons, and two daughters, on a small farm in the Turtle Mountains of North Dakota.
Leota was a loving mother, and often times had to be our nurse when sickness and minor accidents happened.
She labored over a wood cook stove, preparing meals for her family.
She washed the diapers and clothes on a scrub board in a tub, and milked up to nine cows.
In 1956 the family moved to Post Falls and in 1961 Leota went to beauty school and had her own shop at Stateline, ID with many faithful customers throughout the years.
In 1964 she married William Bippes and lived in the Spokane Valley for 48 years.
She lost her husband Bill in 2001 and lived by herself until 2012.
Leota was well cared for by Generation Assisted Living and Wellness in Rathdrum, ID the last years of her life.
She loved working outside in her yard and garden, harvesting the fruits and vegetables.
Leota enjoyed having her children and their families over especially at Christmas time.
She celebrated her 90th birthday in 2009 with all her extended family at her home.
Leota was preceded in death by her sisters; Viola Rowland, Addie Bays, Marlene Ackerman, brothers; Norman Johnson, Laurel Johnson, Dick Johnson, great granddaughter; Jchell Markham, great-grandson; Justin Gardner and great-great-grandson; Keagan Cobb.
She is survived by her brother Don (Gay) Johnson of Post Falls, sons; Kenneth (Dorothy) Gardner of Unionville, VA, Bob (Lyle) Gardner of Post Falls, Dennis (Carol) Gardner of Rathdrum, Clayton (Carolyn) Gardner of Lillian, AL, Lester (Marilyn) Gardner of Post Falls, daughters; Laura (Jim) Blankenship of Covington, WA, Betty (Rod) Borley of Post Falls, 22 grandchildren, 57 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great- grandchildren.
Viewing will be 4-6PM, Friday, April, 26, 2013 at ENGLISH FUNERAL CHAPEL, Post Falls, ID.
Funeral services will be held, 11AM, Saturday, April 27, 2013 also at English Funeral Chapel with a reception to follow.
Burial will be at Latah Evergreen Cemetery, Latah, WA.
Please sign Leota’s guest registry and view online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com