Dennis J. Sippel, Sr., 84

Dennis John Sippel, Sr. 84 died peacefully on March 13, 2024 in Virginia Beach, Va. Born on July 22, 1939 to George and Irene (Hudson) Sippel in Albert Lea, Mn. The Sippel family later moved to Austin, Mn.  After graduating from Pacelli High School in 1957, he became the first Austinite to join the special Southern Minnesota Gopher Co. to be enlisted into the Navy at Minneapolis Mn. He received the top score among the enlistees in an ability test and was assigned to the Navy’s Nuclear Power training program. He went on to the U. S. Naval Training Center Machinists Mates School in Great Lakes, Ill. in 1959 embarking on his military career, including the Vietnam War,  receiving many awards, merits, commendations and accolades. He traveled the globe on the open seas and explored many foreign ports all while proudly serving his country. Eventually retiring in 1982 after 22 years as a Master Chief Petty Officer in Virginia where he and his family had called home for 12 of those years. He decided to return to his hometown of Austin, Mn. in 1992 to continue enjoying his retirement life, keeping busy in his workshop- building beautiful hand crafted furniture or knick-knacks for himself, friends and family or for auction for the humane society. Updating his home and maintaining his beautiful landscaping. Enjoyed dabbling in photography, researching, collecting and sharing hundreds of years of the Sippel & Hudson family history.  He loved listening to (or blaring for everyone to enjoy we should say) classical music or reading from his vast library. Being an avid outdoorsman, he also enjoyed canoeing, hiking and exploring many State Parks. Dennis volunteered at the local  humane society for many years, even providing a  forever home to many cats and dogs, including his beloved Daisy and Jessie who were often seen running at the Austin Dog Park. He is preceded in death by both parents, his sister and brother in law Margaret & Larry Miland, sister in law Mary Sippel and brother in law Jim Kruse. Left to cherish in his memory, 2 daughters Judy Bach (Jeff) of Virginia Beach, VA. and Christa Sippel of Asheboro, NC. and 1 son Dennis Sippel, Jr. of Chesapeake, VA. 5 grandchildren, JP, Cassidy, Jessica, Dominick, Alana and 4 great-grandchildren. 2 brothers Joe Sippel (Ruth) of Austin, Mn. and Fred Sippel of Duluth, Mn. 1 sister Patty Kruse of Mesa, AZ. A private interment Committal Service will be held at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, Mn. in June. His brilliance, his gentleness and his unique sense of humor will be missed tremendously. Memorial donations may be made in Dennis’s honor to the Mower County Humane Society an organization the he deeply cared about.