Charlene E. (Lovitt) Hippen

Charlene E. Hippen, 83, of Lewiston, Nebraska, passed away Friday, September 17, 2021 at her home at Lewiston, Nebraska. She was born February 20, 1938 to L. H. Lovitt and Marguerite Hause, Lovitt,  Searcey, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.  She was the second of five children.

They lived in Scottsbluff for approximately 6 years and then moved to a farm near Tecumseh.  Charlene attended rural elementary school at District 44.  She went to  junior high and high school at Lewiston Consolidated Schools, graduating in 1954.  Charlene was baptized into the Christian faith in the Vesta Methodist Church.

Charlene was united in marriage to Lorance Hippen on June 13, 1954 at the American Lutheran Church in Filley, Nebraska.  To this union was born three children- Kathleen, Kent and Keith.  They were also foster parents to Melissa Juilfs.

Her family were active members of Peace Lutheran Church in Lewiston, until its closure in the 90’s when they joined the American Lutheran Church in Filley, Nebraska.  Lorance and Charlene were members of the Lewiston community their entire lives, always living within 3 miles of Lewiston.  Charlene was the school secretary for Lewiston Consolidated Schools while her children were growing up.  She also drove school bus for the school after that.  Charlene spent many years working for the USDA as a crop adjuster and auditor.  Charlene enjoyed sports immensely and officiated high school volleyball for many years.  She was an avid Nebraska Cornhusker fan.  Saturdays were set aside for football, volleyball, and even basketball in the winter months.  Charlene was a strong supporter of the Flying Tigers 4-H club over the years.  Charlene was very proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and all of their accomplishments.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lorance, son, Keith, parents, L. H. and Marguerite, step-dad, John Searcey, brother, Charles, and brother- in-law, Gerald Wehrbein.

Charlene is survived by her children, Kathy (Duane) Ideus of Burchard, Melissa (Scott) Juilfs of Corpus Christi, TX and Kent (Yvette) Hippen of Virginia, grandchildren, Emily (Eliot) Bohling of Burchard, Ben (Kristine) Ideus of Johnson, Tanner (Maria) Hippen of Virginia,  Whitney (Justin) Antons of Beatrice, Treyton Hippen of Virginia and 12 great- grandchildren, sisters,  Adelaide (Jim) Kinghorn of Omaha,  Carol Jean Wehrbein of Beatrice,  Robert Lovitt of Texas, sister-in-law, Arlene Lovitt of Tennessee and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Memorial services: 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at the American Lutheran Church, Filley, Nebraska.  Officiating Pastor Jonathan Jensen.   A Register book will be available for signing from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at Wherry Mortuary, 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska.  Memorials to family's choice. Inurnment will be in the Lewiston Cemetery, Lewiston, Nebraska.  Online condolences may be left at www.wherrymortuary.com. 

Services entrusted to Wherry Mortuary, Pawnee City, Nebraska.

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