Emery Sippel

Services for Emery Sippel, 97, of Groton will be  11:00 a.m.,  Thursday, December 27th at the United Methodist Church, Groton.  Pastor Brandon Dunham will officiate.  Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens under the direction of Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel, Groton.

Visitation will be held  at the chapel on Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

Emery passed away December 22, 2018 at his home.

Emery Arthur Sippel was born on November 25, 1921, on the family farm near Groton, to Albert and Bertha (Johnson) Sippel.  He attended country school, first through eighth grade.  He later graduated from Groton High School in 1941.

Emery worked for various farmers until he enlisted in the navy in 1943.  He attended boot camp at Farragut, Idaho and then went to Seattle, Washington.  While serving in WWII, he was stationed on the Prince William aircraft carrier for two years.  His job was to work with pilots to land aircraft.  He was also on lookout for submarines.  They used no lights on the ship, only signals.  Emery’s rank was ABMAG2C (Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Arresting Gear Petty Officer 2nd Class).  He spent time in Guam, Okinawa, and the Philippine Islands.  Emery was honorably discharged in 1946 in San Diego.

In the fall of 1946, he went to Minneapolis to do cement finishing.  In 1950 he moved back to Groton to help his brother Arnold with harvest.  He met Marlys Bonn in 1950, and they married July 2, 1952.  Emery and Marlys took over Putney Oil on June 1, 1952.  They later renamed it Sippel Oil.  They also ran the Putney Store and post office.  They lived above the Putney store until 1961, when they built their first home.  Emery drove a race car weekly for four years (1956-1959) at Speedy Hollow in Bath and at Tacoma Park.  His car was called the Putney 11.

Emery and Marlys built the Red Horse Inn in Groton in 1971, where they moved Sippel Oil Company. In 1973, they built a new home in Groton.  They ran the Red Horse from 1972-1975.  They continued to run Sippel Oil until 1992, when they sold to Wheat Growers and Emery retired.  Marlys passed away May 12, 1994.  Emery lived with his daughter Mendy and her family for 24 years until the time of his death.

Emery was a member of the Masons for over 60 years, and the Groton American Legion Post 39 for over 70 years, where he served as commander and vice-commander for many years.  Emery enjoyed spending time at his cabin at Pickeral Lake for over 60 years.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman, taking many fishing trips to Canada and making hunting trips to the Black Hills for about 70 years.  Emery continued to work on his son Marc’s farm until the time of his death, and he continued to plant a huge garden there – giving away produce to his children and friends.  He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and liked to attend their activities.  Emery was proud that all of his children lived within 16 miles of him, and always celebrated birthdays and holidays together as a family.

Celebrating his life through memories are his children: Meri (John) Erickson; Marc (Franne) Sippel; Monte (Sandi) Sippel; Marjae (Dan) Schinkel; Mendy (Jim) Jones; Melissa (Neil) Gilbert, all of Groton; Grandchildren Seth (Megan) Erickson, Evan Erickson, Sydney Wilkinson, Camille Sippel, Anthony Sippel, Alyssa Sippel, Madison Sippel, Sarah Sippel, Danielle Schinkel, Jasmine Schinkel, Anthony Schinkel, Emma Schinkel, Marlee Jones, Austin Jones, Emerlee Jones, Brooklyn Gilbert and Carly Gilbert.  Great-Grandchildren Haley and Max Erickson and Calli Wilkinson; and sister-in-law Hilda Sippel.

Preceding him in death were his parents, wife Marlys, daughter Marcia, brothers Lester, Arnold, and Ralph, sister Edith Hughes, infant sister Irene, and brother-in-law Frank Hughes.

Pallbearers will be Seth Erickson, Evan Erickson, Anthony Sippel, Austin Jones, Anthony Schinkel, and John Sippel.  Honorary pallbearers will be Les Dohman, Dick Kolker, Harry Pharis, Jr., Benny Schaller, T.J. Harder, and Cliff Pray. 

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