Patricia Hipp Obituary

Patricia A. Hipp

Sep 4, 1930 - Jan 30, 2026

Norwalk

Patricia A. Hipp ("Pat") of Norwalk went home to be with her Lord Friday, January 30, 2026.

Pat was born September 4, 1930, to James and Agnes (Stoll) Riley in Milan, Ohio. She graduated from Milan High School in 1948 as valedictorian of her class. She went on to graduate from both St. Vincent School of Nursing and Mary Manse College in Toledo, majoring in nursing and education. She married Gerard ("Jerry") Hipp in 1955 and moved with him to New York City. There she worked as a surgical nursing instructor at Misericordia Hospital. After Jerry's college graduation, they returned to Norwalk and had five children over the next eight years. During that time, she continued teaching nursing students in Sandusky and Norwalk, and she finished her career as a Staff Development Coordinator at Fisher-Titus Hospital.

In the early 1970s, with Jerry's support, they became the majority owners of Maple City Ice Company, founded in part by Jerry's father, Leander Hipp, in 1917. Pat was the company's president from 1986 until her death. She was also a founding partner in several other family businesses, including Maple City Builders. In 2002, Pat and Jerry established The Gerard and Patricia Hipp Family Foundation to help others and to provide a family legacy of philanthropy.

Pat liked to credit Jerry for part of her business success. She dedicated a book she wrote about the family businesses to him, writing: "To my husband Jerry, who pretty much lets me do things my way." Truer words were probably never spoken, and the result was a marriage and partnership that lasted over 70 years. She passed her strong work ethic down to her children and grandchildren, many of whom are active in one or more of the family businesses.

Never one to slow down, she always insisted on entertaining her large family, especially on the holidays. In between, she enjoyed visits from her 13 grandchildren and their spouses, as well as her 24 great-grandchildren. Many evenings were spent together playing cards and watching old movies. For her 90th birthday party, she requested a family euchre tournament. She always loved a challenge but was never fond of losing. She also enjoyed traveling the world with Jerry and spending many winters in Florida.

Pat was deeply religious and loved her Catholic faith and church. At her honorary induction into the St. Paul High School Distinguished Hall of Fame with Jerry in 2019, she emphasized the importance of living a life of faith in Jesus and of serving others. Supporting Firelands Catholic Education Development Office (FCEDO) and its mission to preserve the accessibility and vitality of Catholic education was a particular passion of hers.

She is survived by her husband, Jerry; children, Jeff (Mary Ann) Hipp, John (Rachel) Hipp, Anne (John) Everson, and Mary (Mike) Berry; and her daughter-in-law, Pat Hipp. Other survivors include her sister, Nancy Conway; and her grandchildren, Jamie (Justin) Hoepf, Leander (Taylor) Hipp, Sara (Adam) Bodell, Kate (Stewart) Downey, Libby (Shawn) Rutledge, Jaclynn (Travis) Missler, Lauren (Zack) Endrai, Samuel (Maggie) Everson, Justin (Jess) Berry, Chelsea (Ryan) Voccola, Catherine Berry, Jennifer (Bob) Sullivan, and Andrew (Courtney) Hipp; along with numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Pat was preceded in death by her son, Joel Hipp; and her brother, Richard Riley.

Visitors will be received from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, February, 5, 2026, at Walker-Eastman-Heydinger Funeral Home, 98 West Main Street, Norwalk. Funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 6, 2026, at St. Paul Catholic Church in Norwalk. Luncheon to follow with cold Bud Lights at St. Paul Gathering Space.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make a charitable donation to either FCEDO, 93 E Main St., Norwalk, OH 44587 or St. Vincent de Paul Society, 91 E Main St., Norwalk, OH 44857.

Online condolences and expressions of sympathy can be made by visiting www.walkereastmanheydingerfh.com.