Carolyn J. Gipp

Carolyn J. Gipp, 81, of Suring, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021. Carolyn was born on June 11, 1940, to the late Arthur and Lydia (Kasten) Ruege in Gillett. Carolyn attended Apple Orchard and Gillett Elementary Schools and went on to graduate from Gillett High School in 1958. After high school, Carolyn went to Marinette Teacher’s College in Marinette to become a teacher and later earned additional credentials at UW Oshkosh. On July 15, 1961, Carolyn married the love of her life, Larry Gipp, at St. John Lutheran Church in Gillett. The couple moved to Suring to work on the family farm in 1964, purchased a gas route in 1965 and then Larry’s Garage and their home in 1966 where they lived for most of their lives. Carolyn first taught grade school in Pulaski and then in Milwaukee for a year, before fulfilling the remainder of her teaching career in Suring. Carolyn truly met her calling as a teacher and loved each and every one of her students. It has often been heard, “Mrs. Gipp was my favorite teacher!” Carolyn wore many hats - She served as a First Responder in Suring; worked for her husband, Larry at their business ‘Larry’s Garage’ as secretary and even pumped gas; helped her husband on the Shawaukee Game Farm, where the couple lived while Larry worked as the caretaker there. Carolyn raised several fawns that had lost their mama. After Carolyn’s retirement from Suring Public Schools as a teacher, she taught Food & Fitness exercise classes for NWTC in both Suring and Oconto Falls. Carolyn loved family and did a vast amount of research on the family’s ancestry. Carolyn was a member of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Suring. She sang in the choir, taught Sunday school and various Bible studies, along with serving on other committees over the years. Carolyn is survived by her two children, Lisa Gipp (Mike Jandrin) and Colin (Alicia) Gipp; six grandchildren, Beau (Allison) Gagnon, Cara Pionek (Jon Olson), John Pionek, Lydia Pionek, Matthew Gipp, and Joshua Gipp; step-grandchildren, Brianna (Wardell) Ashford and Brittany Lancour; seven great-grandchildren, Henry Styczynski, Sydney Gagnon, Braxton Youngs, Jordyn Gagnon, Elayna Gagnon, Lakelyn Gagnon, and Santrell Ashford; two brothers-in-law, Glenroy “Tony” Tietyen and Curt (Joanne) Gipp; sister-in-law, Muriel Klein. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Carolyn was preceded in death in March 2021 by her beloved husband, Larry; parents; mother and father-in-law, Herbert and Isabel (Gerndt) Gipp; sisters, Betty Hill and Agatha Tietyen; brothers, Ronald Ruege, and Arthur “Jim” Ruege; brothers-in-law, Richard “Dick” Hill and Ralph Klein; nephews, Gary Tietyen & Kelly Klein; niece, Terry VandenBerg; niece-in-law, Jane Tietyen. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Suring from 11 a.m. until the funeral service at 2 p.m. with Pastor Michael Paholke officiating. Carolyn will be interred in Mount Olive Lutheran Cemetery. Gruetzmacher Funeral Home in Suring is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be expressed at www.gruetzmacherfuneralhome.com. The family would like to thank ALL the staff of Serenity Gardens (especially Peggy) and Unity Hospice (Leah, Cheryl and Tammy) for the excellent care and compassion offered to Carolyn and her family during their time of need.