Jerry Whipple

Jerry Whipple...

was born to Glenn and Olympia (Trujillo) Whipple on October 4, 1960 in Rochester, Minnesota. He was the youngest of 11 children. He was baptized on November 6, 1960 and confirmed on May 25, 1980. Six months after Jerry was born, his mom died of cancer. In 1960, he moved with his family to Pipestone, Minnesota where he was raised and attended school. After his graduation from Pipestone High School in 1979, he attended Pipestone Vo-Tech, graduating in 1980. On September 20, 1980, Jerry was united in marriage to Doraine Wittrock in Holland, Minnesota. Following their marriage, they moved to Prescott, Wisconsin where they managed the Erickson Gas Station. In 1984, they moved back to Pipestone and owned and operated the Pipestone Dairy Queen for 25 years and the Dairy Queen in Dell Rapids, South Dakota for 13 years. He also owned and operated J and J Oil in Pipestone for four years. During the Dairy Queen off season, he cooked at New Life Treatment Center in Woodstock, Minnesota, the Country House in Lake Benton, Minnesota, the Senior Dining Center in Pipestone, and the Holland Bar in Holland. He was a member of the Elkton Tractor Club and the Pipestone Cruizers. He was recently employed at the Luverne School where he liked teasing the kids and coworkers. In August, 2011, Jerry was diagnosed with cancer. On February 4, 2013, he entered the Pipestone County Hospice House where he died on Sunday, March 24, 2013 at the age of 52 years, five months and 19 days.

Jerry was a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Holland. He was also a member of the Elkton Tractor Club, the Pipestone Cruizers and the Buffalo Ridge Two Cylinder Club. He loved antique tractors and classic cars, especially Mustangs. He had a passion for food. He learned to cook at a young age and enjoyed cooking for parties and events. Jerry and Doraine loved living on their acreage with their many pets, especially his little white dog, a Jack Russell Terrier named Mollie. Jerry and Mollie were often seen riding around in the pickup with Mollie sitting around his neck. Jerry was very close to his brothers and sisters as they were a very close-knit family.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 32 years, Doraine Whipple of Pipestone, Minnesota; five sisters, Betty (Bill) Cardon of Rancho Sante Fe, California, Dorothy (Bill) LeBrun of Chanhassen, Minnesota, Linda (Dan) Wise of Minnetonka, Minnesota, Lois (Mark) Greenig of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota and Glenda (Jeff) Hewitt of Apple Valley, Minnesota; five brothers, Richard (Jill) Whipple of Pipestone, Jim (Candy) Whipple of Pipestone, Dennis (Linda) Whipple of Vermillion, South Dakota, John (Karla) Whipple of Pipestone and Bill (Tina) Whipple of Cheyenne, Wyoming; many nieces and nephews; father-in-law, Lyle Wittrock of Holland, Minnesota; two brothers-in-law, Dean Wittrock of Colman, South Dakota and Delwin Wittrock of Pipestone; his step-father-in-law, David Macklenburg of Echo, Minnesota; aunts and uncles; and many friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Olympia; his mother-in-law, Joan (Sandberg) Macklenburg; and his nephew, Eric Whipple.

** Due to the large number of family members, the visitation will be held at Christ the King Free Lutheran Church in Pipestone on Wednesday from 4:00-8:00 PM to better accommodate visiting family and friends.**