Kerri Jo Tipps

Taken from her loved ones much too soon, Kerri Tipps was a true blessing in the lives of those around her. Her strength and courage were an inspiration, and her zest for life was contagious, too. Kerri was a loving wife and devoted mother who lived for her family. She fully embraced the days she was given, even when the storms of life came her way. Kerri was selfless when it came to those around her, and she believed in doing what she could to make the world around her a better place. Life will never be the same without her here, but Kerri’s legacy that is deeply rooted in faith, love, and compassion will live on through the lives of those who follow her.

The 1970s were a decade to remember as the things that shaped the cultural fabric of our nation were anything but traditional. Men sported shoulder length hair, bellbottom pants were quite the fashion statement, and disco was a dance craze like we had never seen before. It was during this colorful time that a young couple from Carson City, Michigan, was beyond excited as they awaited the birth of their fourth child. Their wait was over on June 15, 1978, when the baby girl they named Kerri Jo made her arrival. She was the youngest child born to her parents, Kenneth and Barbara (Ward) Thelen, joined in her family by her older siblings, Pamela, Ken, and Becky. Although she was born in Carson City, Kerri spent the majority of her formative years in Fowler where she was raised in a close family.

For the most part Kerri experienced a childhood that was reflective of the times. She enjoyed things like playing outside and swimming in the family pool. Kerri was a student at the Waldron School in Fowler where she was a good student who enjoyed learning. She always strived to do her best and has even been described as a perfectionist during her younger years. Although she was shy as a young girl, Kerri came out of her shell as she grew a bit older and made friends with ease. Many of the friendships that she established while in school remained with her throughout her adult life. In high school she really got into exercising, which was an interest she enjoyed throughout her life. Kerri was well behaved and respectful of others, too. Her high school years found her at Fowler High where she was named homecoming queen.

After graduating from high school in 1996, Kerri attended Lansing Community College and worked at McKenzie Insurance in St. Johns, where she remained for several years. In October of 2003, she began working for Trierweiler Insurance, where she worked for about 10 years. Kerri thoroughly loved both her job as an administrative assistant and her coworkers. She was also a member of both Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church and Fowler Conservation Club as well as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels.

Life was forever changed for Kerri when she met the man with whom she would share the best years of her life. His name was Chris Tipps, and they met when Kerri was on vacation with her friends and he was vacationing with his parents. She and her friends asked him to hang out with them, but since he wasn’t really Kerri’s type he primarily hung out with one of her friends. However, something must have clicked with Kerri because she called him back in Arizona where he lived shortly after the vacation. This was the beginning of their conversations that occurred almost daily and for hours at a time. Chris came back for a visit in April that year, and it was then that they established a long distance relationship that lasted for about a year with them going back and forth. Over the Christmas holiday in 2005, Kerri moved to Arizona. Together they moved to Fowler in 2006, and on May 31, 2008, they were united in marriage.

Kerri and her loved ones were given a tough pill to swallow when she was diagnosed with cancer in 2006. Although she was very sick in September of 2012, she was excited to discover that she was pregnant with twins at that time. Their joy came to fruition when she gave birth to twin girls, Emma Jo and Breeann Edith. These babies were her miracle in every way, and her girls were the most important people in the world to her.

With so much love for others, Kerri Tipps touched the lives of those around her in such a special way. Her heart was as endless as the sky is blue, and her love for her family and friends was unmatched. Kerri was a woman of faith who treasured her family more than anything else in this world. She will be dearly missed while her memory is forever cherished.

Kerri (Thelen) Tipps of Fowler, MI, died on January 8, 2014. Kerri’s family includes her husband, Chris; their children, Hailey, Emma Jo, and Breeann Edith Tipps; parents, Ken and Barb Thelen of Fowler; siblings, Pamela (Pat) Stump of Pewamo, Ken (Jaime) Thelen of Fowler, Becky (Jack) Miller of Fowler, as well as six nieces and nephews whom she adored: Kendra, Taylor and Kyle Stump, Damien and Holly Miller, and Kenny Thelen. Kerri was preceded in death by her grandparents, Alvin and Loretta Thelen, Dorothy Ward Shook, and Gilbert Ward; and twin nieces, Jacklynn and Carly Miller. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 13, 2014, at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Fowler with burial to follow at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery, Fr. Dennis Howard presiding. The family will receive friends at the Goerge Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, Fowler on Saturday, January 11, 2014, from 7-9 p.m. and Sunday, January 12, 2014, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A rosary will be prayed at 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday with a scripture service at 3 p.m. Sunday. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Most Holy Trinity Educational Trust Fund or Hospice House of Mid-Michigan. To learn more about Kerri and view her Life Story film, visit her personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/96615. The family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.