Obituary: Bippes, Geraldine “Gerry”
Age 82
BIPPES,
Geraldine
“Gerry”
Geraldine Hogan Bippes passed peacefully in the early hours of February 6th, 2016 at the Terrace Apartments at Bishop Place in Pullman, WA after a brief illness.
She was born at home on October 5, 1933 near Bancroft, ID to Eldred Conrad Hogan and Elsie (Croney) Hogan.
Some of her early memories were of family camping and fishing along the Portneuf River.
She attended school in Bancroft and was active in the Mormon Church at that time.
She married Reese Headman in 1949 and the couple were later divorced in 1952.
They had two children, sons Barry and Blake.
In 1954 as a single parent she met Paul Eugene Bippes, also a single parent of a son Floyd and a daughter Kelle.
Their common ground soon became a great friendship, love and partnership.
They knew they had a future together and they married on October 9, 1954 in Pocatello, ID combining into an instant family of six.
In March of 1955 they moved to Farmington, WA to work and help manage a farm that Paul’s dad had purchased.
The couple settled on the farm between Garfield and Farmington.
In 1956 they added a son Corey and their family was complete.
They spent fifty plus years in that same home.
Her husband loved the land and was an excellent steward of that which was entrusted to him.
He was well respected by his peers for his farming practices and Gerry was the “number cruncher” behind the entire operation.
In 1974 the couple purchased a small lake place on Coeur d’Alene Lake and it became a hub for many joyous occasions over the years.
It became “The home away from home”.
Gerry and Paul loved to travel and had many trips with friends and by themselves over the years.
Hawaii, Bahamas, Mexico, Canada and the southwest hold many memories.
In the spring of 2013, Gerry moved from the farm to the Terrace Apartments at Bishop Place where she enjoyed almost three years of happiness and contentment - many new friends, water aerobics, writing classes, book clubs, bowling, fashion shows and many other activities and events.
She is survived by her much loved children, son Floyd (Janet) of Gallup, N.M., daughter Kelle Madden of Spokane, WA, son Blake R. Bippes of Spokane, WA, son Corey H. Bippes of Pullman, WA; five grandchildren, Blake E. Bippes, Clinton (Holly) Bippes, Brandy Bippes, Anthony (Amberle) Madden and Amber (Kenny) Planeta; six great-grandchildren - Mariah Resa, Mia Resa, Ahna Bippes, Cora Bippes, Nola Bippes and Rogan Madden.
A seventh grandchild, Quinn Planeta, is due any time.
She was preceded in death by husband Paul, son Barry, her parents, Eldred C. Hogan and Elsie C. Hogan, brothers Gordon Hogan and George Hogan and great-grandson Samuel Paul Bippes.
At her request, there will be no public services.
She will be cremated and her family will hold a private memorial at a later date of their choice.
Memorial gifts may be given to Friends of Hospice Pullman or the Humane Society of the donor’s choice.
KRAMER FUNERAL HOME, PALOUSE, WA is handling the arrangements.