Henry Phipps

Henry “Hank” Phipps was born July 14, 1936 at San Diego, California to Luther and Mabel (Sterman) Phipps.   He moved to Cherokee when he was a young boy.  He graduated from Washington High School in 1955 and soon after he enlisted in the Navy.  While in the Navy he was a diesel mechanic on an icebreaker and spent a lot of his time in the Antarctic.   When he came back to Cherokee, he started working at Iowa Public Service and worked there until he retired.  He married Dorothy Dreyer in May 1961 and together they had three children.   After Dorothy’s passing in 1974, Hank married Judy Jolley in January 1977.   Together they raised 5 children in Cherokee.  Hank and Judy adopted their granddaughter, Emma, in 2014.  In 1995, they moved to Primghar where he lived until his passing.  

 Hank was an avid Christian and always loved helping at the First Church of Christ in Cherokee and then in Primghar.  He loved to be in his garage making things out of wood and even made the cross for the church that stands outside of the church.  He loved being outside in his garden and was talking about his garden how much smaller it was going to have to be this year.   Hank loved to cook and was always reading cookbooks and trying to make everything that sounded good.  Hank was a very loving and generous man and was always helping others in any way he could, he might grumble, but he loved doing it.  He could not hear the best, so he enjoyed telling stories, which he had a lot of them, reading books and putting puzzles together. 

 Hank was lucky to have found 2 people that he loved deeply in his life.   Both Dorothy and Judy added so much to Hank’s life.  Hank was also very fortunate to have a dear friend  that he called his best friend for over 70 years.  Lee Nelson was Hank’s first friend in Cherokee.  They immediately became best friends then and were best friends to this day.  Their friendship was the true meaning of best friends.

 Hank is survived by his son, Bob Phipps (Kristi) of Aurelia, IA, his son, Alan Phipps of Primghar, IA, and daughter, Pam Bezoni (Mike), Cherokee, IA.   His brother, John Phipps (Bev), Cherokee, IA, a sister, Shirley Jenness, Tuscon, AR, a brother and sister-in-law, Harry and Connie Arrick, Primghar, IA, a sister-in-law, Connie Benson, Cherokee, IA, a brother-in-law, Mike Wilbur, Primghar, IA and a sister-in-law, Marilyn Joines, Cherokee, IA.   He had 10 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and many cousins, nieces and nephews. 

 He passed away at Carriage Hills after losing his battle to ongoing infections.  He will be deeply missed by many. 

 The family would like to thank Hospice of Cherokee Regional Medical Center, the staff at Carriage Hills, The Gardens, Dr. Polk and her staff and all the people who have cared for him for the last 6 months. 

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