Clarence Wipf

Funeral services for Clarence Wipf, 67, of Mobridge were held Monday, September 21, 2020 at the Family Worship Center in Mobridge. Burial was at Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Clarence passed away Thursday, September 17, 2020 at his home in Mobridge.

Clarence Joe Wipf was born July 10, 1953 at Spink Colony near Frankfort to Joseph and Maria Wipf. When he was very young, his family moved to Plainview Colony near Ipswich. In 1973-74, he met Eva Decker at Pembrook Colony near Ipswich and a love story of a lifetime began. They were married June 16, 1974 and together had six children— Rhoda, Margie, Caleb, George, Judy and Kenny.

At Plainview Colony, he was the cattleman for many years. He took a lot of pride in his cattle, and the business thrived. Later on, he was in charge of the steel manufacturing and welding shop. His excellent and quality work became known to many farmers and ranchers, and that business thrived as well.

On November 6, 1993 Clarence and Eva with their six children moved to Mobridge. Moving away from the only life they had ever known, to one vastly different from where they were raised, they had nothing to their names but hopes and dreams for a bright future.

Clarence started Mobridge Manufacturing just east of Mobridge Livestock with the help of many friends and family. In 1997, Mobridge Manufacturing was relocated to where it is now, right behind Beadle Ford.

In October of 2002 Clarence and Eva bought Dakota Country Restaurant. In December it was opened under their ownership as Great Plains Family Restaurant. In June of 2015, he sold Great Plains Family Restaurant to his daughter Margie and son-in-law, Johnny.

Clarence loved Mobridge and its people. His work was his pride and joy. His friends were his treasures. If you knew Clarence in any way, he had a joke for you. He could always make people laugh. He loved having people come over to his man cave and have some “fellowship,” as he put it. He had much pleasure in making a (medium rare) steak for himself and his friends.

Grateful for sharing his life are his wife, Eva; his children, Rhoda (Rodney) Waldner, Margie (Johnny) Wollman, Caleb Wipf, George Wipf and Judy (Clarence) Wipf; 12 grandchildren, Gary Wollman, Geneva Grace Wollman, Anthony Wollman, Katelyn Wollman, Jaden Waldner, Evan Waldner, Isaiah Waldner, Conner Wipf, Kennadie Wipf, Melanie Wipf, Anna Wipf, and Joe Wipf; eight brothers and six sisters; many in-laws as well as numerous friends and extended family.

He was preceded in death by one son, Kenny; his parents; two brothers and one sister.