Tippett, Florine 'Flo' Marie (Wolf)

Florine “Flo” Marie (Wolf) Tippett, 87, of Belle Plaine, died Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011, at Belle Plaine Nursing and Rehab Center. Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, at Christ United Methodist Church, by the Rev. Steven Hubbell. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Belle Plaine, with military rites. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Hrabak Funeral Home in Belle Plaine.

Surviving Flo are her stepdaughter, Joyce Grenis (Michael Koen), Chicago; daughters, Carol (David) Sundberg, West Des Moines, and JoAnne (James) Whitmore, Corning; son, James (Cindi) Tippett, Cedar Rapids; and brother, Delman Wolf, Cromwell, Conn. She is also survived by six granddaughters, one grandson and two great-grandchildren, with a third on the way.

Preceding Flo in death were her husband, Donald; her sisters, Lucille and Laveta; and a brother, Harley.

Flo was born Dec. 27, 1923, in Otis, Colo., to Edward and Helen (Leeper) Wolf. She married Dr. Donald Tippett on June 30, 1951, in Maryville, Mo. She graduated from Northwest Missouri State Teachers College in 1949 and taught in the Belle Plaine schools for 15 years. She also assisted Donald in his office as receptionist and baby-sat for many years, influencing a new generation.

She was an active member of Christ United Methodist Church, serving as a lay leader and prayer chain chairman; activities she continued until her death. She was a member of the American Legion, having served overseas in the Women's Army Corp during World War II; she also loved being a member of a jazz band in Berlin, Germany.

Flo celebrated over 50 years as a member of the Eastern Star; also serving as Mother Advisor for the Order of the Rainbow. She was an accomplished homemaker and cook and avid crafter.

Flo moved to the BPNRC in 2002 due to declining physical health, but her intellectual curiosity and loving spirit became a part of the community there. Many were touched by her welcoming smile and card ministry within the walls of the center and beyond.

Thanks goes to the BPNRC staff for their loving kindness and support as an important part of Flo's extended family.

Donations may be made in her name to a charity of the donor's choice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at   under “obituaries.”

Published Sept. 3, 2011, in The Gazette