Leon Wipplinger

Funeral services for Leon “Wipp” R. Wipplinger, 82, of Thompson were held Tuesday, April 2 at Zion Lutheran Church in Thompson. Interment will be at Our Savior’s Cemetery in Kiester, Minnesota. Leon passed away Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

Leon “Wipp” Ronald Wipplinger was born April 25, 1941 in the hospital in Kiester and baptized June 8, 1941 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kiester. He was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Thompson, in 1956. He graduated from high school in Thompson in 1960. After the passing of his father, he remained on the Alfred Elvebak farm as a farm laborer until 1967 where he worked for his cousin, Leo Wipplinger. He loved those cows.

In 1967 on Leo’s farm is where he met Carol Denzer — as they were looking at each other when he went out to do evening chores. Leon and Carol were married August 24, 1968 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in South Minneapolis, Minnesota. They lived the next 55 years in the Thompson area. After leaving the farm, he worked as a plumber for Ellefson Plumbing & Heating in Thompson. He and his wife, Carol, purchased the business and operated it for a few years, at which time he decided to go back to farming, working for Clifford Branstad and Gary Wunder. He loved farming. He then went to work at the Thompson Consolidated School as a custodian. He thoroughly enjoyed being with the kids. Leon retired in 2005 from the schools. He was a jack of all trades and liked to help his friends when needed. He also enjoyed helping with spring planting and fall harvest for area farmers.

Wipp and Carol loved to camp, grilling and smoking meats, and entertaining friends and relatives. They enjoyed late afternoons visiting with their neighbors, Pat and Cliff Hill on their deck.

Leon is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Carol; sisters-in-law, Gloria Puckett and Dorothy Spence; cousins, Marian Platte and Larry “Hawk” Elvebak and wife, Clarine; numerous nieces and nephews — between 40 and 60 — several of whom were special to both Wipp and Carol.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Alvina Wipplinger; sister and her husband, Marilyn and Glenn Harkness; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and second cousins.

Memorials may be directed to the Thompson Fire Department, the Zion Lutheran Church or Our Savior’s Cemetery fund.