Alice R. Ippen

Alice R. Ippen passed away on Wednesday, December 22 in her home at Bickford House in Rockford. Alice was born on March 18, 1919 in Chicago, the daughter of William and Alice Tierney. She was a life-long resident of Rockford, graduating from Central High School in 1938. Alice worked at J.C. Penny through the war years. She married Wilbur (Bill) Ippen on July 20, 1947 at St. John's E.U.B. Church in Rockford and they had four children, Barbara, Greg, John, and Steven. Alice lost her husband in a drowning accident while vacationing in 1962. Never re-marrying, she raised her four children and all are now married with children of their own. Alice was employed for nineteen years as a customer service representative for Alpine Bank, retiring with fanfare and much mutual affection in 1987. Her grandchildren refer to Alpine Bank as "Grandma's bank." She continued to work part-time for Alpine for another twenty years. Family was Alice's most cherished thing in life, and she loved to travel to visit her children and take trips with them. Many reunions and gatherings throughout the years leave her family with sweet memories and funny stories to tell. Alice will be best remembered for her warm smile, her love and devotion to her children and grandchildren, her appreciation of friendship and consideration of others. She will be missed by all whose lives she touched.Alice was pre-deceased by her parents, husband Bill, and her sisters, Charlotte (Louis) Zionic, Mary (Carl) Oberg, and Janet (Roy) Moore. She is survived by her children Barbara (Steven) Whitgob, Gregory (Gwen) Ippen, John (Karen) Ippen, Steven (Karen) Ippen and grandchildren Casey Ippen, Emily Whitgob, Jeffrey Ippen, Julia Whitgob, William Ippen, Laura Ippen, Kevin Ippen, and Erin Ippen. The family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to the wonderful "family" at Bickford House, and to the kind and comforting care of Heartland Hospice. A Celebration of Alice's life will be held at 11 a.m.on Thursday, December 30, 2010 in Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until time of the service. Burial in White Rock Cemetery, Kings, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 4777 E. State St., Rockford, IL. 61108. Express condolences and share memories at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.