Mathew A. Lipp, 87, former resident of Havre died Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007, at his home in Helena of natural causes.
His prayer vigil/rosary service will be 7 p.m. Friday at the St. Jude Catholic Church with his funeral mass at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the St. Jude Catholic Church with Father Robert D. Grosch officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at the Highland Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will be held at the Mediterranean Room immediately after the graveside service. Matt was born July 17, 1920, in Fairchild to Andrew and Katherine (Fisher) Lipp on the family homestead. Matt was raised and educated in Hingham. He was drafted into the United States Army Air Force during World War II. He served in the 120th Army Airforce Base Unit. Matt met Lena Meadows in Richmond, Va., where he was stationed. He was honorably discharged in February 1946. He returned home to the Hingham area. Matt married Lena Meadows Nov. 13, 1946, in Hingham where they lived and raised their six children. Matt was a self-taught musician who could hear a tune a few times and then play it beautifully. He played with the Hi-Line Swingsters and the Hingham Trio for many years. He played the saxophone, clarinet and the harmonica. He enjoyed listening to 40s music, woodworking and was an excellent carpenter. Matt could grow anything and he took pride in his farming, yard work, gardening and flowers. Matt and Lena were members of Our Lady of Ransom Catholic Church in Hingham where Matt volunteered his services as a carpenter, lawn maintenance and general handy man. He donated a much of his time to the Hingham Farmers Elevator, serving as the director, the Modern Woodman of America and the Knights of Columbus. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lena Lipp in 1999; and two brothers, Bill and Frank Lipp. Matt is survived by his children, Barb (Pat) Carr of Kennewick, Wash., Kathy (Byron) Boucher of Rudyard, Tom (Janet) Lipp of Helena, Sandy Lipp of Kennewick, Karla (Terry) Gilson of Spokane, Wash. And Terry (Tim) Shaw of Austin, Texas; two sisters, Madge Balow of Seattle, Wash. And Betty O’Donnell of Billings; one brother, Phillip Lipp of Kalispell; and 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions in Matt’s honor may be made to St. Jude Catholic Church, P.O. Box 407, Havre, MT 59501. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.
