Wayne Louis "Skip" Kiepe's Obituary
Wayne Louis “Skip” Kiepe entered the arms of his loving Savior at the age of 88 on May 29, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. Skip was born January 7, 1935 in St. Louis, Missouri. He grew up on a farm in Rush Tower, Missouri. He told stories about milking 40 cows a day with his best friend and cousin, Glen Kiepe. In 1947, he contracted a severe case of polio which left him in the hospital for 4 months in St. Louis, Missouri.
He miraculously survived then defied the odds by boxing in the Golden Gloves tournament and serving in the Navy during the Korean War. He was married to his wife Mary Anna Mitchell Kiepe for 67 years. He attended the University of Missouri and the University of Memphis. He was employed in the trucking industry with East Texas Motor Freight and RCA truck line. He was a faithful member of the choir at Germantown Cumberland Presbyterian Church. His big goal in life was to sing in the church choir for 80 years but made it to 84. Skip will be remembered for his funny stories and laughter. He is survived by his wife, Mary Anna Kiepe, and sons Chris Kiepe (Rachel) of Philadelphia, Ms. and Tony Kiepe (Diane) of Spokane, WA. Along with his grandchildren, Annaliese Johnson (Lee), Alexis Leone (Patrick), Andrew Kiepe (Kelsey), John Kiepe (Rubye), Winston Kiepe, Christina Kiepe, and Conner Kiepe. He was blessed to see the arrival of eight great grandchildren.
He is also survived by his siblings Dale Kiepe (Margaret), Vivian Kirkman (Rey), and Gary Kiepe (Mary). He was preceded in death by his parents Harold Kiepe and Marie Mills Kiepe. Funeral arrangements are as follows.
Visitation will be held at from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, June 22, 2023 at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis TN. The funeral service will be held at 8:30 a.m., Friday, June 23, 2023 at Germantown Cumberland Presbyterian. Graveside service will follow at the West Tennessee Veteran’s Cemetery.
The service will be officiated by the Rev. Peggy Jean Craig with pallbearers Andrew Kiepe, John Kiepe, Conner Kiepe, Lee Johnson, Patrick Leone, and Mike Williams. Memorial Park Funeral Home to oversee funeral arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be given to Germantown Cumberland Presbyterian or it’s food pantry ministry.
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