Louise Jane Kipen

She was preceded in death by her spouse, Adam Richard (Dick) Kipen; parents Casimier and Sophie Makarewicz; brothers Raymond Makarewicz, Al (Florence) Marker, Ed Marker; brother-in-law, Tom Reilly; sisters Irene (Ed) Pelka and Lil Hinds; in-laws Adam and Edna Kipen.

She is survived by her children Richard (Claire) Kipen, Kathleen (James) Pitsch, Patricia Nylaan all from Dorr, David (Nancee) Kipen of Grandville, Debbie Petkus (Terry Brenner) of Hudsonville, and Thomas (Stephanie) Kipen of Dorr; 18 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandsons. She is also survived by her siblings Florence Reilly of Dorr, Hank (Cheryl) Makarewicz, Ted Makarewicz of Grand Rapids; in-laws Eleanor Marker of Byron Center and John Hinds of Jenison; sisters-in-law Louise Kiel of Hopkins, Linda Andres of Kentwood, Susan (Craig) Welton of Wayland, Bettie (Cal) Schaeffer of Dorr; brothers-in-law Butch Simons of Dorr and Larry Goodman of Irons.

Louise was a devout Catholic and member of St. Mary’s Visitation Catholic Parish and a member of the Altar Society.

She loved her grandchildren immensely and enjoyed going to their events. She also loved music and playing her keyboard. Her favorite nun, Sister Juliana, inspired her to play the organ at an early age, and she enjoyed playing her entire life. She loved spending time at her lake property and traveling.

She was a successful businesswoman with a great work ethic. She loved people and had the sweetest personality. Her favorite saying was, “stay well and happy.”

She loved her family, enjoyed family gatherings, and taught her children the importance of faith, working hard, and showing kindness to others; she was truly an inspiration.

Mom and Dad were entrepreneurs and had several business adventures. They started with a two-family home for rental income, went on to farming in Byron Center, then on to a much larger farm in Lake Odessa. They were owners of Simple Simons North Dorr Bar and Restaurant in the 1960s and '70s, Kipen Brothers Gravel and Excavating, then on to supervisor level with Shaklee nutritional products. She also managed rental property well into her 90s.

The family would like to thank Father Derda and Father Steve Rodrigo for their visits and prayers as well as prayers from her SMV Parish family and friends during her final days.

She will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Her beautiful smile and sweet personality will live in our hearts forever. We were all very blessed to know her.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the SMV Stained Glass Window Fund in memory of Louise.

Visitation will be held from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, May 31, 2026 at Kubiak-Cook Funeral Services (Dorr Chapel), 4330 18th St., Dorr, MI 49323, with prayers of the Rosary beginning at 5 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held 11 a.m. Monday, June 1, 2026 at St. Mary's Visitation Catholic Parish Church, 2459 146th Ave. SW, Byron Center, MI 49315. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.kubiakcookdorr.com in Louise's online guestbook.