Date of Death: June 15, 2025
Service Details
Her family will receive friends Friday, June 20, 2025 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Hohner Funeral Home, 1004 Arnold St., Three Rivers, with a memorial service at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Ed Ross officiating. She will be laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery.
Obituary Notice
Betty Lou Kipker-Chase, 90, of Three Rivers, passed away Sunday, June 15, 2025 at Bronson Methodist Hospital with family at her side.
She was born November 4, 1934 to Clyde and Bernice Bowers, and at the age of 10 was lovingly adopted by Clarence and Mary Dickerson.
She graduated from Niles High School with the class of 1954.
On June 19, 1956 she married Richard Kipker. The couple shared 34 years together before his passing in 1990. She was blessed to find love again with Leslie Chase, whom she married on March 19, 1999. They shared 18 years together before his passing in 2017.
Betty loved to work hard and made many friends at Michigan Power, Dayco, Arco and Three Rivers Hospital. She made friends everywhere she went. She will be missed dearly by her special friends at the COA and the bowling alley. Many referred to her as Gramma Betty who for years zipped around town on her moped and in her late 80’s, switched to a golf cart.
Betty lived life to the fullest, enjoying her time playing bingo, bowling and volunteering at the community soup pot and Birch Meadows Senior Care. She spent her entire life caring and doing for others. As she always said, she was “two in a million.”
Remaining to cherish her memory are her children, Mary (Mark) Anthony, Peggy Sabin, Gail (Jim) Peffley, and Richard (Tina) Kipker Jr. Stepchildren, Amy (Mike) O’Brien, Caryn (Patrick) Ellis, Carole (John) Wyatt, Mike (Marites) Chase, and Estee (Jack) Hodge; sister, Marguerite Peacock; brother, Bill Bowers; many grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, and so many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, sister Leona Nagy and son in law Richard Sabin.
Additional Information
Donations in Betty’s memory may be directed to American Cancer Society or St. Joseph County Animal Rescue Fund. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Please Leave Your Condolences
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my grandma betty. i’ll miss you forever.
Betty was an amazing lady. Her smile and energy will be missed by so many people. She was a huge help for my father and sister who lived near her. She checked on them every day and was always a ray of sunshine. After they left the house, continued to be a friend to me. She was truly a gift from God in a very small package. I thank Him for her and am confident she is now enjoying her reward in His presence.
We’ve known Betty for many years. She had a great sense of humor, was always smiling, was a stern mom& she was always there to help out. Gods Blessings to the family. She will be missed! Our heartfelt sympathy is with her family & friends.
Betty was a big supporter of the Animal Rescue Fund in St. Joseph County.
She helped a lot of animals get spayed and neutered as well as provided much needed pet food to animals in need.
Marge so sorry for you loss really enjoyed playing bingo at the COA with her and your thoughts and prayers 🙏 are with you and the family
I knew Betty for such a short time. but in that time I saw she was just a sweet ball of energy I will miss her face visiting birch meadows. I can only hope to have half as much energy when I’m her age. She will be dearly missed
she was my sister, i lived with her since 2018 and i loved every day with her .she would lift me up when i was depressed i will miss her very much .we went every where togather. she will be missed by a lot of people.
When we moved in three years ago, next door to Betty, we prayed for good neighbors. Betty was one of God’s answers to that prayer. What a blessing to have her next door! I was always amazed at her energy. Snowblowing her drive in the winter and cutting her grass on her John Deere in the summer at 90 years old. We had a contest each week to see which one could bring the trash can in from the road first. (She usually won). I just talked to her on Friday, can’t believe she’s gone. Condolences to the all her family.
Gail, thinking of you during this time. I enjoyed your mom during her visits with Leona
Oh Gail, I’m so sorry to read about the passing of your beloved Mama. I know what a huge part of your life she was. I’m sorry that I will be out of town this weekend but you will be in my thoughts. ❤️
Betty was a wonderful person, never a bad word about anyone. If someone needed a helping hand, she was there. She was such a hard working lady. In her eighties, she could out work many much younger than herself. She volunteered much of her time to the Ninth Street United Methodist Church through the years. She was a joy to work beside. I will miss that smiling face.
Gail,
The world is a much dimmer place without your mom. I will cherish all the memories of my staying every Friday night at your house and doing chores on Saturday. She always had a smile on her face and I will miss that🙏💔.
Hugs and prayers of comfort for your whole family.
So sorry for your loss Gail. Your mom was always smiling when I would see her.
Betty will be forever missed and will always be in our hearts and memories. She was an angel to so many people on earth and now she’s God’s Angel. Prayers for all of her family and you are in my prayers.
I am sorry for your loss. Tom
Betty became a great friend and like a mother to all one couldn’t help but fall in love with her when meeting.She will be so very much missed by all that knew her.We love you young lady RIP
I had the privilege of cutting Betty’s hair many years,
she never came in without a smile,,
a cherry tidbit to talk about, and never once complained to me about her haircut !
Always up beat! ,
she was a joy. she will be missed by many.