Ella Kipen

Ever loving, kindhearted and loyal, Ella Mae Kipen was a delight in the lives of those who knew and loved her. Throughout her 95 years, she saw the world change around her in numerous ways almost too grand to even imagine. From wars to times of peace; through economic upheavals and times of plenty, she experienced much. Her heart will forever remain a memory as she is deeply missed.

The year 1916 fell into a decade of advancement throughout the United States while heavy on the hearts of all was concern for young soldiers heavily engaged in battle during World War I. As America was advancing as a world power, those on the home front tried to ease their worries by taking in a Charlie Chaplin flick, or listened to the sounds of jazz becoming so popular for the times. Nestled in the cozy, lakefront city of Ludington, Michigan, Edwin and Mable (Harwood) Echlin were anticipating the birth of their first child. And amidst these changing times, on August 18, 1916 they welcomed into their hearts the birth of their little girl, Ella Mae.

The oldest of two daughters, Ella was later joined by her younger sister, Mary Jane. Ella was often a sickly child, and if she could catch it, she did. She was never one for the outdoors, and was content playing indoors. If she did venture outside, she preferred the shady areas as she didn't care to be in the sun, a trait she carried her whole life through.

In time Ella and her family moved to the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. She attended the local schools there and enjoyed several friendships, having had a typical childhood for the times. When her educational years came to an end, she was more than ready for them to be over. Ella never drove a day in her life, except for the day she went to test for her drivers permit. After backing into the Grand River, she never drove again!

As a young woman, Ella went on to meet a young man named Ted Kipen in Grand Rapids who was quite smitten with her. The feeling was mutual, and after a time of dating they decided it was time to marry. After sharing vows of marriage on July 25, 1936, Ella and her new husband lived with her mother and sister in their family home on Ann Street NE. Ted made a living working at the Corduroy Rubber Company while Ella worked for the Michigan Bulb Company. Before long they welcomed two children into their lives with the births of a daughter, Donna, and son, Roland.

For a night out, Ella and Ted liked having dinner together at the Countryside Inn on Fridays in N. Dorr followed by an evening of dancing there where the men regularly "fixed the steps". They also enjoyed their many trips with family visiting other states. Ella didn't care for camping, so they were certain to stay in local motels in the area of their travels.

After settling into a home of their own, Ella's mother and sister lived with them for many years and they always remained very close. Ted was a trooper with all the woman in the house, and simply rolled with the punches. The designated and only driver in the family, he drove the ladies wherever they wanted to go. Ella filled most of her time raising her family and did loads of volunteer work, especially in her later years. She worked the phones at a blood bank, was active with the senior center and gave of her time at Butterworth Hospital as a volunteer.

Ella was very talented when it came to crocheting. Over the years she made countless baby blankets and afghans which not only warmed the arms of others, but their hearts, too. When blessed with grandchildren and eventually great-grandchildren, Ella could hardly contain her love for them. She was quite close to the younger generation in her life, and they felt the same. Loving and caring, she was the best and most "perfect" grandmother they could have ever asked for. She enjoyed playing games with them, especially Trouble, Canasta, Skipbo, or a good game of rambunctious Bunko. Whenever the grandkids were coming over, Ella always had a big pot of chop suey, one of their favorites, ready for dinner.

When Ella's husband, Ted sadly died in 1996, her son, Roland lived with her until his death in 2006. At that time she began living with her granddaughter, Annetta and Jim Fisk, in Cedar Springs. Ella filled her time watching the Game Show Network nearly 24 hours a day, seven days a week at full volume. She had a sweet tooth she enjoyed satisfying with peppermint paddies, and liked any ice cream except if it was chocolate. One of her sweet specialties included her red velvet cakes which she often made for special occasions, like birthdays. She recently made one of her cakes, and was so proud of her accomplishment!

Remaining sharp as a tack, Ella was very independent, even into her later years. She so enjoyed living with her granddaughter until suffering a fall in May of this year. Needing 24 hour care, she moved to Metron of Cedar Springs but her health continued to worsen. At the age of 95, Ella Mae Kipen sadly died on Sunday, June 24, 2012.

In the lives of those who knew and loved Ella, she was a loyal and kindhearted soul who was most loving and caring. She was like a mother to some of her family members who counted on her unconditional love and affections. Throughout her 95 years, Ella lived and saw much in her lifetime. She leaves fond memories and will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Ella was preceded in death by her husband, Theodore; son, Roland; and sister, Mary Jane Humphrey. She is survived by her daughter, Donna Clark; grandchildren: Eleaze (Dewane) Farrell, Kevin (Vicki) Moore, Annetta (Jim) Fisk, Lynell Kilchermann, and Sherry Coffey; eight great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and cousins. A Celebration of Life service will be held for Ella on Wednesday, June 27, 2012, 10:00 AM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 1833 Plainfield Ave. NE. Friends may visit with her family on Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the funeral home. Contributions in her memory to the Alzheimer's Association or Spectrum Health Hospice are appreciated. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory, photo, and to sign her online guest book.