Mark W. Sippel

Mark W. Sippel, age 73, of Schaller, Iowa died December 18, 2025 at his residence.

Funeral Mass will take place Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Early, Iowa. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Early. Visitation will be held Monday, December 22, 2025 from 5-7:00 p.m. with Rosary at 6:30 p.m. followed by Prayer Vigil, all at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in STORM LAKE. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

Mark William Sippel was born December 23, 1951, in Conrad, Montana to William F. (Bill) and Betty (Stuenkel) Sippel. In 1960, the family returned to Iowa to live on the family farm near Schaller. The rural life, a love of nature, and caring for animals continued to form Mark's way of living throughout his nearly 74 years.

With five siblings at home and 13 cousins across the road, there was never a dull moment. The Sippel kids could start a baseball or football game at a moment's notice. There were chores to be done, but there were ponies to ride, motors to work on, dirt bikes to race and time to swim and fish at the nearby gravel pits. Mark attended grade school at Sacred Heart School in Early and graduated from Storm Lake St. Mary's.

Mark, his brother and his friends were in a restaurant when Mark laid eyes on a beautiful waitress, Julie. It was love at first sight. In 1975, Mark married his lifelong love, Julie Segebart. With Julie, Mark's life became a love story. For 50 years they were nearly inseparable, facing together all the challenges that life brings. In his final weeks, Julie was devoted to his care, just as she was throughout their lives. His appreciation for her was deep, as he shared with a family member how hard she worked to make him comfortable and to care for him.

Mark's hobbies included raising show pigeons, a hobby he shared with his brother, Steve. They attended various pigeon shows throughout the area together over the years. Cherished German shepherds Khaleesi and Kaya were Mark's pet companions in recent years.

Mark retired from Tyson Meats Maintenance Department in Storm Lake in October of 2020.

Together Mark and Julie raised eight children who survive and will miss him dearly. Heidi Sippel of Early, lowa; Adam (Dulaura) Sippel of Albert City, lowa; Christopher (Krista) Sippel of Kelley, Iowa; Melissa Azure (Patrick) of Gillette, Wyoming; Laura Sippel of Sac City, Iowa; Jacob Sippel (Erin), Yulee, Florida; Molly Sippel of Ames, Iowa; and Henry (Jordan), Pocahontas, Iowa. Celebrating the love of their grandfather are 20 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.