Thomas and Eloise Kipp

Mr. Kipp was born September 17, 1926 in Piqua, Kansas to Charles, and Ida (Konen) Kipp, and spent his

childhood working on the family farm while attending the Catholic grade school across the road.Years

later, his children would share memories of visiting and working on the farm during summer vacations.

Tom attended Christian Brothers High School in St. Joseph, Missouri while living with a cousin and

family, and proceeded to Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas where he graduated with a

Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education. In later years he continued a lifelong passion for

learning and graduated with a Master’s Degree in Administration from the University of Missouri -

Kansas City.

Thomas began teaching in 1949 at Hogan High School where he met his life partner and spouse Eloise

Rentchler a fellow teacher. In 1954 he moved to the Kansas City Missouri School District where he

taught at Central Junior High School and Southwest High School. He was a basketball coach while

teaching human science and later became the Vice-Principal and eventually the Principal of Southwest

High school in its glory days. Later positions in the district included Vice-Principal positions at East High

School and Southeast Middle School. As a life-long educator, coach, and father “Coach Kipp” to many,

impacted the lives of thousands of young people. Tom kept in touch with so many of his Southwest

students. It was nearly impossible to go out in Kansas City without someone recognizing Mr. Kipp!

Thomas was a person of integrity and earned the respect of all he influenced with his quiet demeanor

and commanding presence.

Tom and Eloise were married June 20, 1951 in Eloise’s hometown of Clinton, Mo. The Kipp family has

been fortunate enough to celebrate Tom and Eloise’s 50th, 60th, and 65th anniversaries. The Kipp

celebrations were always full of love and laughter from their wide circle of life-long friends. As a family,

we have all been blessed by seeing a beautiful example of love, marriage, and family.

Tom’s influence went beyond the classroom. He and Eloise were active members of the Our Lady of

Lourdes parish in Kansas City and later Annunciation in Baldwin City, KS. Tom was also one of the longest running members of the Knights of Columbus in the Kansas City area, joining at age 18 and staying active

all his adult life.

He is preceded in death by his parents Charles P. Kipp and Ida S. Kipp, as well as father-in-law, and

mother-in-law Ernest and Ellen Rentchler. Also deceased are his brothers-in-law Bruce Roach (Ann) and

Richard Riddle (Donna), and sister-in-law Ellen Scalet (Jim).

Thomas is survived by his lovely wife of 67 years, Eloise E. Kipp of Olathe. His children Stephen E. Kipp

and wife Patty, Jeffery C. Kipp and wife Lisa and Melinda E. Dechant and husband Richard. Grandchildren; Dylan, Perry and Cole (Stephen) Casey and Taylor (Jeffrey) and Cody and Aubrey (Melinda). Other surviving family members include sister Donna Riddle of Wichita, Kansas and brother Fred and wife Lorraine Kipp of Overland Park, KS, sister-in-law Ann Roach of Overland Park, Kansas and brother-in-law Jim Scalet of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Eloise was born in Clinton, MO to Ellen and Ernest Rentchler as the eldest daughter of three girls, Ellen, and Ann being her younger siblings. The small town life suited her with an active lifestyle that included winning a city championship in tennis during her teens. After graduating from Clinton High School in 1945 Eloise attended St. Mary’s College in Leavenworth, KS earning a BA degree in 1949, and a teaching certificate.

She moved to Kansas City the summer of her graduation and secured a position at Bishop Hogan High School teaching Phys Ed, and Home Economics. While in line for the initial interview she met her future husband and life partner Tom Kipp of Piqua, KS. They soon became the “it” couple and were married in 1951. During summer breaks Ellie worked for the Kansas City A’s in their ticket office, and Tom worked with George Toma on the grounds crew. When Tom moved to the Kansas City Public School System, Ellie focused on her young family, and supported Tom in his coaching career. She was known to be quite vocal while Tom coached basketball games, and she was asked to leave the gym a time or two. Another interesting life choice was to pass on a job as secretary to the head coach of the newly established Kansas City Chiefs to stay at home with her babies. Her sister Ann was hired for the position who spent over 40 years in the organization mostly working for the many head coaches.

Together Eloise and Tom raised three children living in three homes within 4 blocks of each other in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Parish, Raytown, MO which was a mainstay in their lives. Later Steve, Jeff, and Beth graduated from Archbishop O’Hara High School, before going on to universities. Throughout their adolescence Eloise was active in her children’s school communities as well as the Lourdes Altar Society. Her support of her kids and their various sporting events was unwavering, and she developed lifetime relationships with the parents of those teammates. Eloise was always busy when at home, and although it was underappreciated, she rarely went to bed with items out of place. She was very fond of angels of any type, and also had hundreds of photos of her family throughout her home.

Eloise was a long-time member of the Kansas City Catholic Women’s Club and was elected president for multiple year terms. As an active alumnus of St Mary’s College, supporting the KC chapter, Tom and she worked diligently to contribute to the school’s annual ball and auction. Eloise cherished her lifetime friendships with college classmates and soon after graduation the Potluck Group was formed with eight couples meeting at semi-annual parties that rolled late into the night.

A final career choice, and to help a friend that started the program, Eloise worked as an administrative assistant in a newly formed organization in the late 70’s - KC Hospice. In retirement Tom and Eloise traveled to visit their children, and their families often via weeklong road trips wherever their kids resided from California to Florida, North Carolina to Cincinnati. Those visits were cherished by their many grandsons, and one granddaughter. Along those routes and between visits with family, they made friends and kept in touch the old-fashioned way via cards and letters.

Eloise and Tom spent their final five years residing in Kansas, Tom’s home state, living near Beth who was instrumental in assisting them in their twilight years. Those who supported Eloise in her senior community always enjoyed her kindness as well as her outgoing personality. She will be fondly remembered by family, friends and all who shared in her lively circle of conversation.

Eloise is preceded in death by her loving husband Thomas E. Kipp. Her parents Ernest and Ellen Rentchler, as well as her father-in-law Charles P. Kipp and mother-in-law Ida S. Kipp. Also deceased are her sister Ellen Scalet and brother-in-law Jim Scalet and brothers-in-law Bruce Roach (Ann) and Richard Riddle (Donna).

Eloise is survived by her children Stephen E. Kipp and wife Patty, Jeffery C. Kipp and wife Lisa and Melinda E. Dechant and husband Richard and grandchildren Dylan and wife Kelly, Perry and Cole (Stephen), Casey and Taylor (Jeffery) and Cody and Aubrey (Melinda). Other surviving family members include her sister Ann Roach Overland Park, Kansas and brother-in-law Fred and wife Lorraine Kipp Overland Park, Kansas and sister-in-law Donna Riddle Wichita, Kansas.