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Wayne R. Jipson

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Nicolet High School Whitefish Bay High School University of Iowa

FUNERAL HOME

Schmidt & Bartelt

Wisconsin

Wayne Jipson Obituary

Jipson, Wayne R. Of Whitefish Bay. Died on Friday, January 13, 2012, at the age of 80 years. Beloved husband and best friend of Sally (nee Wells). His proudest accomplishment was helping raise four wonderful children, Michael K. (Melanie) Jipson, Jeanne A. (Thomas) Ward, James (Amanda) Bauman and Christopher (Maia) Bauman. He was thankful to be involved in his grandchildren's lives, Katie and Emily Ward, Natalie and Matthew Jipson. Further survived by his sister, Barbara (the late Joseph) Matt, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Wayne received his Masters and Bachelors degrees in Music Education from the University of Iowa. He taught junior high school in Oshkosh, and spent 29 years at Nicolet High School as the director of vocal music. Wayne also conducted choirs at North Shore Congregational Church and United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay. He served as President of the Wisconsin School Music Association and the Honors Project, and he spent many years as a music clinician and adjudicator throughout the state. Wayne contributed articles to music journals and authored a textbook, The High School Vocal Music Program. Memorial Services Tuesday, January 17, 2012, at 2:00 PM, at UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF WHITEFISH BAY, 819 E. Silver Spring Dr. Private Interment. Visitation Monday at the CHURCH from 4:30 PM -6:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, make donations in Wayne's name to the Ice Age Trail Alliance (www.iceagetrail.org/make-a-donation) or the United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay-Music Fund.

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Published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Jan. 15, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Wayne Jipson

25 Entries

JOHN MOORE

February 13, 2012

Because of Wayne Jipson's teaching style,his love of good music, his warmth and ability to connect on so may levels to everyone he came in contact with, I always looked forward to each and every choir class at Nicolet. I have nothing but warm and fond memories of those times in his class. He always made this awkward teenager feel comfortable. Peace and blessings to his family and dear friends.

January 31, 2012

We knew and loved Wayne at WFB Methodist. Always gentle and kind! Loved his music.

Lee Kesselman

January 29, 2012

We all stop to mourn the passing of this true gentleman of music. Wayne Jipson served as a role model for the many of us who sang with him, played for him, participated in musicals and classes. In my years ('67-'70) I sang, accompanied, had roles in musicals and played in the pit for four years.
I cannot imagine my own career as a conductor/composer/teacher without the many gifts I received from Mr.J. at Nicolet.
I added the Beethoven "Hallelujah" to one of my spring programs when I heard of his passing -- the first piece I remember accompanying at Nicolet. I only hope that I contribute to the musical and personal lives of my students in some small way that resembles the contribution Mr. J. made to mine.

Kathy Conrad-Riebau

January 23, 2012

Dear Sally and Wayne's Loving Family, May you find peace in all of the kind memories that are entered in this guest book. Wayne was a tremendous musician and a good friend. My time at the United Methodist Church started with Wayne's invitation and I will always be grateful for that.

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Mona Peck

January 21, 2012

I too am deeply saddened to hear of Wayne's passing. It was an honor to have played the harp in every musical from 1965-69 and to have been in the choir. Wayne allowed me to sit in, until I could clear my schedule and take the class as another music elective. He brought the most out of choir, the pit orchestra and for every competition we sang in. He entrusted the small vocal ensembles to do their best and I was happy that my small quartet won an A rating in competitions.
Wayne was a special teacher that we all loved and respected.
He will be sorely missed!
Mona deVorkin Peck

Sharon Hammill Humphreys Nicolet, '67

January 19, 2012

As you can read, Wayne Jipson made a real difference in many students' lives at Nicolet. I am one of them. For all four years of high school I sang in the choir and played various parts in the school musicals. In addition to teaching musical skills, Wayne taught students responsibility and values. His enthusiasm, boundless energy, unbelievable patience and the respect he showed each student was a powerfully winning combination. Wayne Jipson made a real and positive difference in hundreds of students lives. And, he was so young at the time I was at Nicolet! My sincere condolences to the family.

Mike S Goodman

January 18, 2012

Sorry to learn of Wayne's passing.
Seeing his name brought back may old memories. I am glad to see that he is so well remembered by others too. Unfortnately, I couldn't make it to Milwaukee for the memorial service yesterday.

Mike S. Goodman
NHS, Class of '73

Ruth Lambert

January 18, 2012

Dear Jipson Family - Mr. Jipson was one of the most wonderful teachers that I have ever had. He was kind, funny, and nurturing. He loved his job and he loved his students and showed us that love every minute that we spent with him. I hope every day that my own child will have a teacher like Mr. Jipson.

I am so sorry for your loss and I wish you peace.

With love,
Ruth Lambert
Nicolet Class of '77

Seema Sernovitz

January 17, 2012

Dear Sally-I was saddened to learn of Wayne's loss. He was an inspiring part of my high school life at Nicolet. May his memory be a blessing to you and your family. Kind regards, Seema (Lookatch) Sernovitz Class of '69

Larry Roou

January 17, 2012

Hi Sally,
I'll always fondly remember Wayne and the many hours we spent at choir practice. Wayne was a master at getting the most from the choir and letting the choir have a good time doing it. What a wonderful man and musician.

Angela Bartell

January 16, 2012

Dear Sally - the Class of 1964 group on Google Groups learned of Wayne's death yesterday. Many people weighed in with memories of how Wayne influenced their love of music and outlook on life. He was much treasured by your classmates! His glowing enthusiasm and joy in music certainly influenced my lifetime of music enjoyment and performance. He will be fondly remembered.

The class also fondly remembered you. Please accept my sincere condolences during this time of grieving.

Kind regards, Angela (Baldi) Bartell

Robin (Reiter) Whitty-Novotny

January 16, 2012

I became a choral director because of Wayne. I wanted to be JUST like him and while I knew that I would never achieve this, he continued to inspire me on a daily basis throughout my career. I will miss him greatly as will the entire music community of Wisconsin.

Laurie Moeckler

January 16, 2012

Mr J. was my choir director at Nicolet from 1966-1970. He instilled in me a sense of pride, accomplishment, and a love for music. He worked us hard and expected us to be our best, and we LOVED him! My sincerest condolences to his family. You should be very proud of him. Laurie Moeckler, Class of 1970

Mike Ross

January 15, 2012

My sincere condolences to Mr. Jipson's family. It was a honor to have had him as a teacher and to have been part of his last graduating class in 1990.

January 15, 2012

My love for music grew because of Mr. Jipson's choir class! He affected so many kids in a positive way through music. I hope he knew that he "made a difference" to many students through music,
Wendy (Hentzen) Mikkelson '73

Rich Oates

January 15, 2012

Please accept my condolences. I am saddened to hear of his passing. In an earlier post on FB, I recounted how Mr. Jipson had a great impact on my life in 1973. I will never forget his kindness and compassion. He was a great teacher and a great person. He will surely be missed.

Nicolet HS- class of '77

Karen (warnemuende) Tate

January 15, 2012

My sincere condolences. May we all find peace and joy in his wonderful memory. He was a great teacher, and much loved!

Nicolet HS- class of '87

peter newberger

January 15, 2012

MY Condolences to the entire family. Though I never had Mr. J. as an instructor, he was enjoyable to chat about any facet of music. He was a gentleman and a wonderful man.

Ted Osthelder

January 15, 2012

One of the best teachers I ever had (choir, Nicolet, class of '87). My deepest sympathies.

Alicia (Barnum) Kardell

January 15, 2012

My condolences to his family. Mr Jipson had a huge influence in my music life at Nicolet. He was a great teacher and made music and singing fun and interesting. My life is richer because of his classes and the musicals. Music is stil a huge part of my life today. I am grateful for his support, encouragement and true caring he had for his students. I know he will also be greatly missed by those lives he was still impacting today.

Suzanne Weinstein

January 15, 2012

I worked with Wayne Jipson at Nicolet High School and respected him as a colleague, teacher, and a wonderful human being. Condolences to his entire family.

Irving Arnold

January 15, 2012

Thank you Mr. Jipson. You were so kind to me during such a tumultuous time in my life. You believed in me when most wouldn't. You made such an amazing difference in so many young people's lives. Thank you.

Joan Pastene Dennis

January 15, 2012

My heart goes out to the entire Jipson family at this very difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

I had the extreme pleasure to have been involved in the Nicolet choir for 4 years, not as a star, but just as someone who loved to sing. Mr. J. had a way of making eveyone feel like a star though, even if they were never going to have the leads in the musicals but only be part of the chorus. My time spent under his leadership was the most enjoyable part of my 4 great years at Nicolet. He has left an indelible mark on countless people. What a beautiful legacy.

Maggie

January 15, 2012

I am now a school music teacher myself. Mr. Jipson was such a monumental man and brought a love of music and of teaching with him into every class. I recently sang a song with my students that I brought to them because I had sung it in his class. So much of my passion was ignited by him...Thank you!!

John Limbach

January 15, 2012

Wayne had the confidence in me to teach me how to use my vocal gift, cast me as the lead in two High School musicals, and promote me to college programs.
I remember the countless hours in the practice room with him after school as he worked with a kid who could not read music and helped me win four gold medals at the state level.
His investment in me gave me the confidence to not only perform on the stage at Nicolet, but the stage at the University level in Eau Claire and my singing internationally.
The confidence to sing and speak in front of people lead me to become President of The Student Body, a business leader and now CEO of a corporation.
God bless you, Wayne.
Wayne's example proves the power and importance of music in the High School curriculum.
Words cannot express my thanks for your talent that you bestowed upon me and how I always think of those breakthrough singing sessions when I hit a roadblock in life. My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time. May the lasting memory of Wayne's brilliant smile and hearty laugh carry you through. Rest in peace my friend.

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