Marlys Rae Kippen, age 76 of Bottineau, passed away on Friday, May 19, 2023 at a Bottineau hospital.  Her funeral will be held on Friday, May 26, 2023 at 10:00 am at the United Parish in Bottineau.  Visitation will be Thursday from 1:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.

Marlys (Roland) Kippen, daughter of Leonard (Slim) and Margaret Roland. Marlys grew up on a family farm near Lake Metigoshe and attended grade school at Hilton School #3. She graduated from Bottineau High School in 1964. Marlys later attended ND School of Forestry (Bottineau), where she earned a degree in Secretarial Science in May 1966. After graduation she was employed by Northwestern Bell as a telephone operator. On October 8, 1966, Marlys Roland married Gary Kippen at the Manger Lutheran Church. Through the years, she worked for Good Samaritan Nursing Home and United Parish.

Marlys was a member of United Parish in Bottineau. She was involved in groups such as Circle, Homemakers, a 4-H leader, and Meals on Wheels. Marlys loved time with family. She kept busy gardening (both the growing and canning), caring for her many sheep, and chores around the farm. Baking and meal cooking, knitting wool, as well as sewing and other crafts were her hobbies. Her numerous quilts she made are used for comfort by many. Often Marlys would have a book in her hand (she liked to read the ending first to see if she wanted to keep reading it). Marlys always made it her priority that everyone was cared for. She was a loving mother and grandmother and adored her cat Bowtie.

Marlys passed away on Friday, May 19, 2023, at the Bottineau Hospital. She is survived by sons; Patrick (Heather) Kippen of Minot and Kevin Kippen of Bismarck; daughter, Kindy Sime (Rodney Hopp) of Litchfield, MN; grandchildren, MiKayla Kippen, Tyler Kippen, Garrett Sime, and Shelby Hopp; sister, Patricia Hill (Morris Sprenger); brother Larry Roland (Julie Rude) and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Gary Kippen; mother and father, Margaret and Leonard (Slim) Roland; brother, Michael Roland; brothers-in-law, Rod Hill, Robert (Feller) Kippen, Caryle (Bud) Kippen; and sister-in-law, Sis Kippen.