Bernice L. Ippel

IPPEL, Bernice L.
of Kalamazoo, Michigan On February 4, 2013, Bernice Louise Ippel was called home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was born February 13, 1921 in Grand Rapids, a daughter of Isaac and Minnie Bergmans Hollemans. As a young school girl she and her friends formed the "Chat & Giggle Club" which exemplified her fun loving attitude she carried throughout her life. She worked for her father at his Michigan Dry Cleaning Company in Grand Rapids. On November 30, 1945, she married James Henry Ippel, who had returned home from serving 4 years overseas during World War II. He preceded her in death on August 25, 2011. Bernice was a member of Heritage Christian Reformed Church. She enjoyed every aspect of being a homemaker...cooking, canning, mending, ironing, entertaining and faithfully praying for her family...grandchildren and great grandchildren, as her list continued to grow. She will always be remembered for her friendly personality, sense of humor and positive attitude despite living many years in pain. She often said, "My cup of blessings overflows and I am drinking from the saucer". Bernice was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Marvin, I. Franklin, Robert and John Hollemans and her sister, Virginia Wielhouwer. She is survived by her children, Phillip Jane Ippel, Jayne James Mayer and Nancy Gary Ausema; 7 grandchildren, Melynda Christopher Munden, Kathlynn Nathaniel Van Hekken, Steven Gabriella Mayer, Paul Mayer, Natalie Steven Ritzema, Janelle Ausema and David Allison Ausema; and 11 great grandchildren; sisters, Nell Cooley and Jean Ann Roy Gritter; brother, David Lois Hollemans; sisters-in-law, Thelma Marvin, Rose I. Franklin, June Robert, and Pat John; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 8 at 11:00 AM at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th Street, with Pastor Paul Fazio officiating. Private interment will take place in Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-8 PM on Thursday evening. Memorials may be given to the Kalamazoo Christian School Association, Heritage Christian Reformed Church or the Kalamazoo Deacons Conference.