Charles “Chuck” Whipps, age 84, of Lydia went to be with the Lord the evening of August 19, 2014. A visitation is Monday, August 25, 2014 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, Jordan. The Celebration of Life Service is Tuesday, August 26, 2014 at 11:30 AM with visitation one hour prior at Zion United Methodist Church in Lydia. Reverend Larry G. Kasten will preside. Chuck will be laid to rest at Concord Hill Cemetery in Lydia.
Charles Ellsworth Whipps, Jr. was born to parents Charles and Emma (Sawatzky) Whipps May 4, 1930 on the Whipps family farm in Lydia. Chuck was the baby of eight children. He loved growing up on the farm where he developed his strong work ethic and a love for animals. He attended grade school in Lydia and graduated from Jordan High School in 1948. After high school, Chuck took over the family farm and became the fourth generation to live on and run the farm.
During high school, Chuck’s older brother Loren insisted that he go out with a nice young woman from Minneapolis by the name of LaVonne “Bonnie” Buskirk. Chuck agreed to go on the date, and it was the best decision he ever made. He and Bonnie hit it off instantly. Their courtship continued for two years. As soon as Bonnie graduated from high school and turned 18 they were married. Chuck and Bonnie exchanged wedding vows on July 1, 1949 at Aldrich Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis. They were blessed with three beautiful children, Lisa, Brian and Melissa.
One of Chuck’s biggest passions in life was farming. Chuck was a life-long member of the Scott Carver Thrashers Association, and he always participated in the annual thrashing bee. He loved his cows and even enjoyed milking them. Chuck was always doing chores and working hard to maintain the farm. On the rare occasion that he’d take a “day off” he’d pile the family into the green station wagon, and they’d head up to the shores of Lake Superior. This was one of Chuck’s favorite places, and he loved sharing it with his family.
Faith and family were the most important things in Chuck’s life. He was an active member of Zion United Methodist Church where he served as a lay leader, Sunday School teacher, and “Grandpa Chuck” to all of the kids in the congregation. Chuck was a true prayer warrior and a man of strong faith. This is something he passed on to his children. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandkids. They were the light of his life. Chuck would load the grandkids onto his tractor and spend hours driving them around the farm.
He was a kind man who always had a smile on his face. Chuck was ready to leave this world and move on to the next. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. He will be forever loved and remembered always by his wife of 65 years, Bonnie; children, Lisa (Jeff Weckman) Whipps, Brian Charles (Julie McMonagle) Whipps, Melissa (Jason) Allen; grandchildren, Michael (Anastasia), Christopher, Evan (Andrea), Anna, Cameron, Ava, Tristan, Tanner, Trevor, Lexi, Kristine and Jacob; great-grandchildren, Amelia and Malcom; sister, Amy Getz; other loving relatives and friends.
Chuck is preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Earl Whipps, Inez Pearson, Cora Petsch, Elmer Whipps, Loren Whipps and Bill Whipps.
Pall bearers for Chuck are Tyler Dotseth, Joey Hentges, Wayne Whipps, Tom Vosberg, Evan Stier, Jacob Allen and Tristan Whipps.
