Gordon William Hippen

Gordon William Hippen, 75, of Dakota Dunes passed away Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, at home with his family.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church in Dakota Dunes, with the Rev. Joe Vogel officiating. Burial will be 4 p.m. Tuesday in St. Lawrence Cemetery at Milbank, S.D. Visitation will be 5 to 7 today, with a parish vigil at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Berkemier Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Homes.
Gordy was born July 25, 1939, in Wilmot, S.D., to John and Rosella (Hoffman) Hippen. He was raised in Wilmot and graduated from Wilmot High School in 1957. Gordy attended Augustana and Northern colleges studying business.
On Aug. 4, 1962, Gordy married his childhood sweetheart and love of his life, Helen Jurgens. The two lived a fortunate and blessed life together for the past 52 years. Helen dedicated the last two years caring for Gordy as he fought chronic illness.
Gordy spent his entire career with SUPERVALU Inc. retiring as an executive in 1995. He and Helen then spent several years enjoying life on the lake in Ortonville, Minn., slipping away for winters in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. They then built their dream home in Dakota Dunes, S.D., in 2007.
In his free time, Gordy loved to golf, hunt, fish, boat, water and snow ski and spend time with family. Year-round, whether in the Midwest or Arizona, you could find Gordy and Helen on the golf course several days a week. They also enjoyed downhill skiing in Park City, Utah, each January and often joined daughter Lisa and family in Lake Tahoe for winter and summer fun. In the fall, he, his son, Bill and granddaughters could be found hunting through the fields in South Dakota or Nebraska. Gordy loved watching his grandchildren grow.
Gordy was a member of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Church. He was a man of strong faith who enjoyed singing in the choir. His joy of singing went well beyond Mass, and his family will fondly remember his holiday, anniversary, and birthday greetings along with his rendition of "God Bless America."
Gordy is survived by his wife, Helen (Jurgens) Hippen of Dakota Dunes; his children, Bill (Carmen) Hippen of Omaha, and Lisa (Jeff) Cuppett of Los Altos, Calif.; four grandchildren, Alex and Hannah Hippen, Kaitlyn and Aidan Cuppett; his brother, Richard (Angie) Hippen; his sister, Gayle (Gary) Garber; brothers-in-law, Leon (Shirley) and Tim (Donna) Jurgens; sister-in-law, Betty (Dell) Barsness; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Kaye.
Memorials may be directed to Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church or St. Francis Mission in St. Francis, S.D.