KIPPEN, Betty (nee Robinson)
July 17, 1944 – February 8, 2025
Peacefully, at the Boyne Lodge Personal Care Home, Mom/Grandma took her last breath surrounded by loved ones.
Predeceased by her husband, Ken in 1996, and a stillborn baby girl in 1970, her parents Grace & Ken Robinson and sister-in-law Janet. Survived by her 3 children and grandchildren: Greg & Michele – Dylan & Tyler; Julie & Mario – Nolan; Curtis & Laureen – Cody, Rayna & fiancé Kaden Hiebert; Betty’s brother Bob and his children Pam & Doug Scharf – Emma, Hally & Ethan; Adele & Garth Dirks – Bryce & Elyse; and Leanne.
Betty was born in Morden, MB, the eldest child of Grace & Ken Robinson and grew up on a farm in the Darlingford area, attending Barclay School. She attended college in Winnipeg where she met her husband Ken and they were married on Dec. 19, 1964. They settled in the Carman area where they raised their children and ran a successful machine shop business, K.K. Sales and Service. Betty could rattle off part #’s from memory and even fixed rads at one point. The kids learned the value of hard work from their parents and applied that work ethic into their adult lives and careers.
Greg, Julie and Curtis have amazing memories of camping trips and then cabin life on Brereton Lake in the Whiteshell. Betty loved sitting in the porch at the cabin having her morning coffee and visiting with friends and neighbours, the Woolley’s, Caldwell’s and Fender’s, around a bonfire in the evening or playing cards in the cabin to get away from the mosquitos. Betty treasured her last full week at the cabin in August 2022.
Betty made many trips in the semi with her brother Bob out to Victoria, BC, to visit Julie for a few weeks at a time. Bob would drop her off at the ferry terminal and then pick her up the next time he had a load to haul to BC from MB. I’m sure there were some great conversations between brother and sister on those semi trips!
As a grandma, Betty always looked forward to spending time with her grandchildren and had special relationships with each one. Her face would light up whenever she talked about them. She was a proud Grandma while watching their hockey games, dance recitals, and music concerts. She rarely missed watching curling on TV or Jets games. She used to sew a lot and everyone got new pajama pants and other articles of clothing that we branded B.K. Wear! Although she worried, she enjoyed hearing about all the worldly travel and work adventures that her children and grandchildren took part in. This ranged from the Great White North to tropical islands and she looked forward to their FaceTime visits. Besides looking after her grandchildren, she also did child care for others in the community when she moved back into Carman, forming close bonds with the kids and was fondly known to them as Grandma Betty.
Betty faced quite a few challenging situations throughout her life but despite that she was one tough and resilient woman who loved her family dearly.
Betty, Betsy, Betty-Boop, Mom, G’ma, Grandma Betty, Auntie Betty – you are leaving us with a hole in our hearts but amazing memories. Your body was tired but you were sharp as a tack, had a “spicey” attitude and said whatever was on your mind. The staff at the Boyne Lodge need to be commended for treating her like family and that was evident by the tears and sorrow right after she passed. Special thank you to family friend, Deb, who was like a second daughter to Betty and to all of the thoughtful friends who would visit Betty and bring treats for her to enjoy. She is now pain-free and reunited with Ken and they will both be with us forever in spirit.
July 17, 1944 – February 8, 2025
Peacefully, at the Boyne Lodge Personal Care Home, Mom/Grandma took her last breath surrounded by loved ones.
Predeceased by her husband, Ken in 1996, and a stillborn baby girl in 1970, her parents Grace & Ken Robinson and sister-in-law Janet. Survived by her 3 children and grandchildren: Greg & Michele – Dylan & Tyler; Julie & Mario – Nolan; Curtis & Laureen – Cody, Rayna & fiancé Kaden Hiebert; Betty’s brother Bob and his children Pam & Doug Scharf – Emma, Hally & Ethan; Adele & Garth Dirks – Bryce & Elyse; and Leanne.
Betty was born in Morden, MB, the eldest child of Grace & Ken Robinson and grew up on a farm in the Darlingford area, attending Barclay School. She attended college in Winnipeg where she met her husband Ken and they were married on Dec. 19, 1964. They settled in the Carman area where they raised their children and ran a successful machine shop business, K.K. Sales and Service. Betty could rattle off part #’s from memory and even fixed rads at one point. The kids learned the value of hard work from their parents and applied that work ethic into their adult lives and careers.
Greg, Julie and Curtis have amazing memories of camping trips and then cabin life on Brereton Lake in the Whiteshell. Betty loved sitting in the porch at the cabin having her morning coffee and visiting with friends and neighbours, the Woolley’s, Caldwell’s and Fender’s, around a bonfire in the evening or playing cards in the cabin to get away from the mosquitos. Betty treasured her last full week at the cabin in August 2022.
Betty made many trips in the semi with her brother Bob out to Victoria, BC, to visit Julie for a few weeks at a time. Bob would drop her off at the ferry terminal and then pick her up the next time he had a load to haul to BC from MB. I’m sure there were some great conversations between brother and sister on those semi trips!
As a grandma, Betty always looked forward to spending time with her grandchildren and had special relationships with each one. Her face would light up whenever she talked about them. She was a proud Grandma while watching their hockey games, dance recitals, and music concerts. She rarely missed watching curling on TV or Jets games. She used to sew a lot and everyone got new pajama pants and other articles of clothing that we branded B.K. Wear! Although she worried, she enjoyed hearing about all the worldly travel and work adventures that her children and grandchildren took part in. This ranged from the Great White North to tropical islands and she looked forward to their FaceTime visits. Besides looking after her grandchildren, she also did child care for others in the community when she moved back into Carman, forming close bonds with the kids and was fondly known to them as Grandma Betty.
Betty faced quite a few challenging situations throughout her life but despite that she was one tough and resilient woman who loved her family dearly.
Betty, Betsy, Betty-Boop, Mom, G’ma, Grandma Betty, Auntie Betty – you are leaving us with a hole in our hearts but amazing memories. Your body was tired but you were sharp as a tack, had a “spicey” attitude and said whatever was on your mind. The staff at the Boyne Lodge need to be commended for treating her like family and that was evident by the tears and sorrow right after she passed. Special thank you to family friend, Deb, who was like a second daughter to Betty and to all of the thoughtful friends who would visit Betty and bring treats for her to enjoy. She is now pain-free and reunited with Ken and they will both be with us forever in spirit.