Funeral services for Erlis Sipple will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Theodore Catholic Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Timothy Reker and Deacon Mike Ellis will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea and again one hour prior to the service at church. Interment will be in St. Theodore Catholic Cemetery.

Erlis Elaine Sipple died Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015, at St. John’s Lutheran Community in Albert Lea. She was 86.

Erlis was born Feb. 1, 1929, in Kiester to Emma (Kleinschrodt) and Harold Katzung.

On April 24, 1948, Erlis married Joseph Sipple at St. Theodore Catholic Church in Albert Lea. They made their home here and raised six children together. Erlis held many jobs over the years including Standard Truck Stop, Clothing Care Laundry and her own cake decorating business.

Erlis was an active member at St. Theodore, helping with the ladies aid. She kept busy with gardening clubs and card clubs. Many of Erlis’ favorite hobbies included gardening and canning vegetables, crafts, needlepoint, sewing, bird watching and decorating cakes. She was a lover of animals and traveling all over, taking many sightseeing bus trips. Erlis enjoyed camping, going to the theater to see plays and getting her hair done. She was a fun and caring individual who will be greatly missed.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children Jerome (Helenanne) of Mansfield Center, Connecticut, Janice (Thomas) Miller of Danbury, Wisconsin, Daniel (Rebecca) of Morris, Illinois, Sharon (Dennis) Dagestad of Emmons, Keith of Albert Lea, and Kenneth (Belinda) of Appleton, Wisconsin; grandchildren Ian (Naomi) Sipple, Shaun (Danielle) Sipple, Jason Miller (fiancé Leah), Justine Miller (significant other, Will), Kimberly (Jared) Boorky, Brenda (Patrick) Soreng, Nathan (Janine Rose) Sipple, Brianna Paton, Beth (Nathan) Buehrer, Bryant Dagestad (fiancé Dianna), Joshua (Marjie) Sipple, Meghan Sipple (significant other, Hannah), Tyler Sipple (fiancee, Alicia), Travis (Ashley) Sipple and Zachery (Hazel) Sipple; 20 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Agatha and Alice; brother-in-law, Ted; as well as many other relatives and friends.

Erlis is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph; parents Emma and Harold Katzung; grandson, Joseph “Joey” Sipple; great-grandson, Ryland; and sister-in-law, Ethel.