Janet Hipp, age 72, died Sunday May 11, 2014 at her home in rural Claflin, Kansas. She was born March 2, 1942 at Great Bend the daughter of Jim and Cecelia Lorene (Pundsack) Keeley.

Janet, a lifelong resident of the area, graduated from Radium High School and completed nurse’s training at the Dominican School of Nursing in Great Bend, Kansas. She had been a Registered Nurse for the past forty-three years. A majority of her career was spent working at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington, Kansas where she started as a floor nurse, then moved to a surgical nurse and later retired as the chief nursing officer. Janet was a past member of the Kansas Organization of Nurse Leaders and was a strong voice for nursing. She was a mentor to her staff and peer group and led by example.

Janet was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church of Odin where she served on the Altar Society and Parish Council. Janet also served on the Sunflower Diversified Services board, Clara Barton Hospital Foundation and a volunteer at RSVP of Hoisington. Janet enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, family and friends.

She married Thomas Hipp October 12, 1963 at Seward, Kansas. He preceded her in death on February 26, 2006.
Survivors include four sons, Mike Hipp and wife Patty of rural Claflin, Kansas; Brian Hipp of St. Louis, Missouri; Chris Hipp and wife Jody of Hays, Kansas; Scott Hipp and wife Carey of Ellsworth, Kansas; two sisters, Patty Vratil and husband Ron of Great Bend, Kansas; Linda McFarlane and husband Gene of Lenexa, Kansas; and eleven grandchildren, Allie, Katie, Keeley, Elizabeth, Gabrielle, Ashley, Benjamin, Olivia, Andrew, Emily, and Thomas Hipp.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Odin with Father Ted Stoecklein as celebrant. Burial will follow at Holy Family Cemetery. Friends may call Tuesday, May 13, 2014 from 9:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. with a Vigil Service followed by an Altar Society Rosary beginning at 7:00 P.M. at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington, Kansas. Memorials are suggested to Clara Barton Hospital Foundation, Hope Lodge of Kansas City, Heartland Cancer Center or Sunflower Diversified Services in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, Kansas 67544.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net