Charles Kippen, age 93 of Omemee passed away on Thursday, September 9, 2021 at a Minot hospital.  His funeral will be held on Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at 1:00 pm at the United Parish in Bottineau.  Visitation will be Tuesday from 1:00 pm until 7:00 pm with a prayer service starting at 6:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home

Charles Robert Kippen was born in Bottineau, ND on September 6, 1928. He was the son of Angus and Ellen (Albertson) Kippen.  Charles graduated from Omemee High School in 1946 and after high school he worked on the family farm. In the winters he would travel with his father to California where his mother and sister were teaching school. In 1960 while spending the winter in California, he was able to attend the Olympics in Squaw Valley. It was always one of his best memories he liked to share. On December 16, 1961 he married Helen Davidson at the Omemee Presbyterian Church. They settled in on the family farm outside of Omemee and raised their four children.

Charles's Presbyterian faith was very important to him and to Helen. After the Omemee church closed, they became members of the Presbyterian Church of Bottineau and later the United Parish Church where they were very active over the years.

Farming was not just a way of life for Charles, but something he loved. He was very proud to live on the original Kippen homestead that was founded in 1887. He worked hard to grow the farm over the years and he was happy that today his son and grandsons are continuing the Kippen tradition and farming the family farm. With the farm came also the responsibility of being the caretaker of the Omemee Cemetery. Charles took pride in maintaining the cemetery. He spent hours each summer mowing and trimming. Every Memorial Day he made sure the cemetery was prepared and flags were set to honor the veterans. Charles promoted agriculture by being part of the Bottineau Elevator Board and always made sure that his four children were active in 4-H and FFA. He made sure that they all had 4-H steers each year and enjoyed the yearly process of preparing and taking the animals to the Bottineau County Fair.

Charles and Helen enjoyed to travel. They went on several bus trips that took them to some the best sights in the country. They also bought a camper that they used to take in events around the area and into Canada. They had fun at harness races, threshing bees and the Hostfest each year seeing new things and meeting new people.

Charles lived on the farm until the end and as the main farming work was passed on to the next generation, he turned his attention to his garden. He had a large garden each year that he loved spending time watering and weeding. There was always more than he could consume and he loved to bring his harvest to town and share with people in the community. He worked hard in the garden and always had his favorite dog Dixie by his side.

He is survived by his children, Scott (Pat) Kippen of Bottineau, Carmen (Greg) Bendixson of Zahl, Roberta (Scott) Abernathey of Minot and Heather Kippen of Crosby; grandchildren, Jordan (Taylor) Kippen, Levi (Kelsey) Kippen, Ethan (Sasha Peck) Kippen of Bottineau, Derek (Brandie) Bendixson, Ryan (Danielle) Bendixson, Kent Bendixson of Zahl and Lathan Abernathey of Minot; great grandchildren, Owan Kippen, Bristol Kippen, Stetson Kippen, Callie Kippen and Meriena Bendixson; Sibling Joy Sanders of Santa Clara, CA and son Jeff Sanders and daughter Jennifer Austin and her children Tyler Austin and Hilarie Austin, sisters-in-law Donna Brandon of Powell, WY, Peggy (Lloyd) Nelson, brother-in-law Morris (Louise) Davidson of Grand Forks and several nieces and nephews.

Charles was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years Helen, his parents Angus and Ellen Kippen, his in-laws Allister and Alice Davidson and his granddaughter Sloan Abernathey.

Arrangements were with Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.