Carolyn "Kip" Dauenhauer

Carolyn Faye "Kip" Dauenhauer passed away on January 7, 2025, in Ridgeland, Mississippi. Kip was born on August 2, 1935, to Amelia Wilty Dauenhauer and Oscar Charles Dauenhauer Sr. As a 5th generation New Orleanian, she grew up surrounded by a large, extended, and fun-loving family.
With plans to pursue a career in education, Kip completed her undergraduate degree at University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 1957 and, later, her master's degree in administration at Loyola University in New Orleans.
Her 41-year teaching career began in New Orleans with a middle school classroom, and, in 1965, Kip took advantage of an opportunity to teach at an American Air Force base in Etain, France. This experience opened her eyes to the world, fueled a passion for travel, and introduced her to fellow teachers who would become lifelong friends. Following her time in New Orleans and France, Kip taught special needs children in Denver and then moved to Northern California in 1969 where she taught elementary and middle school until her retirement in 1998.
Shortly after retiring, Kip moved to Ridgeland, Mississippi to be closer to her three beloved brothers.
Faith, family, friendship, and fun were the values that most closely defined Kip. She was a devout Christian whose faith was core to her being, and she was actively involved in churches everywhere she lived.
Kip adored her parents and siblings and loved sharing stories of her childhood. Her oldest brother, Oscar, started calling her "Kip" (a twist on Kit Carson) when they pretended to be frontiersmen in the Wild West as children. Her brother, Errol, kept her laughing and fostered her love of music. The youngest brother, Steve, was her parents' "surprise baby" that Kip protected and lovingly nicknamed "Tevvy."
Kip was a warm and loving people-person who was actively engaged with friends throughout her life. She loved to laugh and was always "up for anything," particularly travel, snow skiing (in her early years), dancing, and good conversation.
Kip is preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, sisters-in-law Anne Dauenhauer and Judy Dauenhauer, and nephew and godson David Dauenhauer. She is survived by sister-in-law Susan Dauenhauer, nieces Anne McLaughlin (Larry), Carolyn Seal (Steve), Jennifer Gray Warren (Chris), Jordan Beeman (Dennis), nephews Jay Dauenhauer (Ashley), Greg Holt (Debbie), Todd Holt (Toni), and Stacey Holt, and many loving great-nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at Natchez Trace Funeral Home in Ridgeland, Mississippi on Monday, January 20, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.