Reverend Edward F. Sippel

With hope in the Resurrection, we commend to the Lord, Reverend Edward Francis Sippel who died on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at the age of 101.  Born on July 2, 1922, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, the son of Louis and Della (Beau) Sippel.  He had one brother, John who preceded him in death.

He graduated from St. Joseph’s School in Fond du Lac in 1937 after finishing freshman year of high school there.  Father began his priestly formation at Saint Lawrence Seminary in Mount Calvary from 1940 – 1942 and Saint Francis Seminary in St. Francis from 1942 – 1947. Father was ordained to the priesthood on June 7, 1947, by Most Reverend Moses E. Kiley at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Milwaukee.

Father Sippel was first assigned to St. Aloysius Parish in West Allis on July 10, 1947, as Assistant.  On May 20, 1954, he was assigned as Assistant at St. John Nepomuk Parish in Racine. Father was appointed Assistant at St. Mark Parish in Kenosha on July 6, 1961.  On August 29, 1962, he was assigned Assistant at St. Therese Parish in Milwaukee. On July 1, 1964, Father was appointed Curate at St. Joseph Parish in Waukesha.  On February 27, 1968, Father was appointed Pastor at Immaculate Conception Parish in Juneau. He was assigned to St. Patrick Parish in Fond du Lac on August 24, 1971, as Pastor. He retired from active ministry on June 25, 1991.  He served as part-time chaplain to retired sisters of St. Agnes at Nazareth Center for 15 years.

He was a registered Scout Master, that was in leadership positions with Boy Scout troops for 19 years.  He taught part-time high school religious classes, coached sports, and worked with various youth groups throughout the years as Assistant Pastor.  He worked in marriage preparation classes for the diocese and served on the priest council for nine years.

He always enjoyed St. Vincent de Paul work and his most productive years in many ways were at St. Patrick’s Parish.  He had a passion for gardening, germinating the seeds, planting, and weeding to his heart’s content.  At the time of harvest, he enjoyed the pleasures of sharing what was grown with friends and organizations.  His love for music, for every song was recognized within minutes of hearing when listening on his favorite Sirius Frank Sinatra station.  He knew every song, the name of the band, who sang it, and most of the lyrics as he would hum it until the words came.  It was common for him to name the saxophonist or clarinetist and the dates of the recordings.  He also enjoyed reading and cutting out important articles to share with his friends and educate them with his years of knowledge.  He had a passion for life, teaching that money is something you do good with, and let’s not forget, Manhattans.

Visitation for Father Sippel will be held Friday, September 29, 2023 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Holy Family Church, 271 Fourth Street Way, Fond du Lac.  A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial for Father Sippel will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at Holy Family Church.  Burial will be held at a later date in Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to the Father Edward Sippel Scholarship Fund, c/o Holy Family Parish, 271 Fourth Street Way, Fond du Lac, WI  54935.

Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com