Mary Ann Sippel, 91, passed away peacefully while in hospice care at Waukesha Memorial Hospital in Waukesha, Wisconsin on May 9, 2025, surrounded by the family who loved her.

Mary was born on September 9, 1933, at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin to Walter and Stella Diedrich. She was the oldest of five children. The family resided near St. Cloud, Wisconsin on a dairy farm.

Mary graduated from Goodrich High School in 1951 and went to work in Fond du Lac for Judge Marco as a secretary utilizing her shorthand skills. Later she was employed by Kiekhaefer Corporation (Mercury Marine) and after that by Hutter Construction.

Mary met Rodney on a blind date arranged by some friends and their first date was to a Braves' baseball game. They married Aug 27, 1955, at St. Mary's church in Fond du Lac. At that time Rodney was driving a taxi and also working as a mover.

The newlyweds moved to a small apartment at 421 East Second St in Fond du Lac. Mary continued to work until David Charles was born in July of 1956. They lived in this apartment until Rodney got a job at Greyhound Bus Lines in Milwaukee.

They moved to Hampton Gardens in Milwaukee where Patricia Ann (Patty) was born in 1958. They moved to Brookfield (2485 N. Lilly Rd) in 1960. Lawrence Kenneth (Larry) was born in 1962 at St. Joseph's Hospital. Mary was an involved and loving mother, and wife. Her favorite times were cuddling on the couch with her children while reading to them.

Rodney got a job first with Ziegler Candy Company and then with REA Express and Mary cared for the house, the kids and the big garden. She didn't drive and, since Rodney was a long-haul trucker, she had to be very independent.

She was a hard worker and kept a spotless house, sewed clothes, and preserved food from the garden. She rode her bike or walked wherever she needed to go. In 1975 the family moved to 2225 S. 107th St West Allis, WI and purchased their first home.

Mary started work at Central Bank on National Avenue. Every day, in all kinds of weather, she walked over a mile to and from work. Mary continued to work at the bank until she turned 62 and retired. She was a valued employee and, when she was a teller, customers would stand in her line even though other lines were shorter. Because of her reliability and attention to detail she was put in charge of the night deposits. She was very savvy about money and invested wisely allowing her to live comfortably and independently in retirement.

Mary and Rodney enjoyed camping and their family vacations usually involved a rented tent camper and a trip to Long Lake. After the kids were gone they bought a small camper and often took it out for long weekends usually with a grandchild or two along.

She was a big fan of campfires, birdwatching and hiking in nature. She usually hiked carrying a plastic bag to pick up litter as she walked leaving the woods a better place for her presence. Her love of a scenic view and the beauty of nature was passed down to all of her children and continues to enrich their lives.

Rodney and Mary sold their house and moved to Landmark Senior Apartments in 2008. Here Mary became heavily involved with her Landmark family and checked on the welfare of fellow residents on her floor each day and also helped collate and distribute the monthly newsletter. She had many special friendships while living there and enjoyed the many activities especially the musical entertainment, and the Packer and bingo gatherings.

Mary loved baking, riding her bike, reading, road trips to unexplored places and growing flowers. She shared her baked goods and produce from the garden with her friends and neighbors. She shared her love of adventure with her sons and she shared her love of reading with her daughter and they read books together for many years.

Mary was a blood donor and donated an astonishing 161 pints in her lifetime. She also volunteered in the community for the Health Department, did vision testing at schools and helped with flu vaccine clinics.

She worked at the polls for many years until she was no longer physically able. She was an active member of the Brookfield VFW Auxiliary, coloring hundreds of Easter eggs for the annual egg hunt and working long hours in the corn roast and hamburger stands for fund raising events. She was very generous with her time and energy. She loved to bowl, dance and hold her grandbabies.

Mary handled her health challenges with grace and acceptance. She lost most of her vision and struggled with painful knees during her later years yet continued to live independently and with dignity as long as possible. She remained mentally sharp until the end of her life.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband Rodney, her brothers William (Bill) and James (Jim) and survived by her sisters Helen Wendlandt and Dorothy Knauer, her three children David (Joanne) Sippel and their children David and Bradley; Patricia (Jeff) Baker and their children Alexandra and Miranda; and Larry (Lois) Sippel and their children Lyndsey and Nathan, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren and many much loved nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their appreciation to ProHealth Waukesha Memorial Hospital Hospice personnel for their tender kindness to Mary and her family during her transition.

Mary's funeral will be held on September 12, 2025, at Mother of Perpetual Help, 2322 S. 106th St, West Allis. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial.