Lawrence Hipenbecker

Madison- Lawrence W. Hipenbecker, age 95, died on Friday, September 23, 2016 peacefully in his sleep of natural causes after a recent fall. His desire to once again be with his wife of 56 years, Jean, who died in 2002, was finally realized.
Larry was born on February 10, 1921 in Muscoda Township, the son of Ernest and Ethel (Wilt) Hipenbecker and the second of four boys. He proudly graduated 8th grade and then worked on the family farm during the depression years to afford his brothers the opportunity of a high school education. He was a farmer at heart and gardened until he died.
Larry met Jean Williamson at a dance in Blue River, Wisconsin and after dating for four years, and Larry's stint in the U.S. Air Force, they married in Boscobel, WI in 1945 and moved to Madison. There, Larry's first job was driving Badger Cab for several years. He really enjoyed the job and always had lots of great stories about his experiences. He then worked in construction at Pharo Heating Co. for over 25 years and his last job before his retirement in 1984, after Pharo's closed, was at Hyland Hall for many years.
Larry first lived in Madison, then in 1981 built a home for he and Jean in the town of Vienna, and most recently for four years has lived in a beautiful independent living apartment at Oakwood Village East before a short stay in the assisted living facility there.
Besides gardening, Larry loved to hunt and fish and built a family cabin in 1973 in northern Wisconsin in Rusk County near Hawkins, Wisconsin on Skinner Creek. There he enjoyed his pastimes as well as snowmobiling. The family continues to own and use it today with wonderful memories of "dad always 'putzing" in the basement" when it was late night or bad weather.
He had hobbies of lapidary, making beautiful jewelry from ordinary stones he polished and cut, coin and stamp collecting, and baseball cards. Collecting was a passion and he never threw anything out or let anyone else throw out what was treasure or an antique to him. His grandson has his collections and daughters his antiques to remember him by.
Larry and Jean were active members of St. John's Lutheran Church in Madison for over 60 years. They travelled on grand trips to Hawaii, Alaska, Europe, Branson, and Reno Nevada after retirement. The trips to Reno were to see their twin grandchildren, Rick and Beth, born in 1988, however Larry also loved to gamble and play the slots. He was very lucky and Ho Chunk and Dejope were favorite destinations. He made sure the family had a wonderful vacation every year as his daughters grew up visiting the Badlands, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, Appalachia and Niagara Falls and more. He was the best husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle anyone could ever hope for and will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Lawrence is survived by his daughters Donna Hipenbecker of Madison, WI and Diane (Ted) Rolfs of Reno, NV, grandson Richard Rolfs of Reno, NV and granddaughter Bethany Rolfs of New York, NY; a brother Robert Hipenbecker; and in-laws Joan (Bill) Swift, Jim (Marilyn) Williamson, Mike Williamson, Alton Minett, and nieces and nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Jean, his parents, a brother John (Beth) Hipenbecker, and a brother Clair (Beulah) Hipenbecker and in-laws Merle (Lem) Miller, Grace Williamson, Robert Williamson, and June Minett; and two very special and grandpa spoiled granddogs Pedro and Biscuit.
The family wants to thank pastors Ken Smith of St. John's and Wayne Shannon of Oakwood, the entire staff at Settlers Ridge and Seasons at Oakwood East, the hospice care team, especially Marie, RN, for such wonderful love and care of Larry.
A memorial service for Larry will be held at Oakwood Tree of Life Chapel on October 13, 2016 at noon. A visitation will be held from 11:00 am until the time of service. Entombment will be private.