WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Virginia Marie “Ginnie” Lips, age 83, of Sturgis, Michigan passed away
early Monday morning September 7, 2009 at her home.
She was born June 29, 1926 in Kalamazoo, Michigan a daughter to the late
Carl William and Mary (Macy) Hanichen.
Virginia had resided in Sturgis since 1952 coming from Chicago, Illinois
where she attended and graduated from the Illinois Masonic Hospital
School of Nursing receiving her license as a Registered Nurse. Her early
life was spent in Vicksburg where she graduated from Vicksburg High
School with the class of 1944.
On July 16, 1949 she married Conrad G. “Connie” Lips in Vicksburg. He
died February 28, 2007.
In 1955 she was hired as a Registered Nurse at the Sturgis Memorial
Hospital and retired in 1983. The last 20 years of her career she held
the position of Operating Room Supervisor. With her husband she owned
Litho Printers in Sturgis from 1963-1995.
Virginia enjoyed sewing, cooking, traveling and for many years spending
the winters at her and Connie’s home in Winter Haven Florida. Virginia
truly loved time spent with her family especially her grandchildren.
She is survived her daughter Caryl Susan (Wes Garner) Fittro of Sturgis,
Six Grandchildren; Maria (Lt. Colonel Brent) Lawniczak of Millbrook,
Alabama, Christian (Becky) Fittro of Middlebury, Indiana, Joshua Fittro
of Sturgis, Samuel (Holly) Fittro of Sturgis, Meghan (Will) Dobberteen
of Sturgis and Hannah (Matt) Lehman of Sturgis, Nine Great
Grandchildren; Justin, Chelsea, Ryan and Emily Lawniczak, Blake and
Taylor Fittro, Noah Lehman and Ethan and Blake Furr, One Brother; Bill
(Ellen) Hanichen of Muskegon, Sister-in-law; Marlea Hanichen of
Vicksburg and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and one brother; James
Hanichen.
The family will receive friends from 5:00-8:00 P.M. Wednesday at the
Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St.,
Sturgis, MI 49091, 269-651-2331. Funeral services celebrating the life
of Virginia Lips will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home.
A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in
Sturgis.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mrs.
Lip’s memory consider the Children’s Leukemia Foundation of Michigan,
5455 Corporate Drive, Suite 306, Troy, MI 48098. Envelopes are available
at the funeral home.
