Henry "Hank" Stip, 99, Sidney, MT

Funeral Services will be Thursday December 26, 2024 at 3:00 pm at the Fulkerson Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Sidney, MT with Pastor Richard Evans officiating. Light refreshments will be served after the service for a time of fellowship. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service. Hank will be laid to rest in the Poker Jim Cemetery in McKenzie County, ND. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Sidney, MT is assisting the family. Remembrances, condolences, and pictures may be shared with the family at http://www.fulkersons.com.

Henry "Hank" Stip was born on June 20, 1925, in Cedar Rapids, IA to John and Mabel Stip. It was a large family, consisting of 6 girls and 3 boys. The family moved around the state of South Dakota for a time then moved to Minot for most of Henry's childhood. It was here that he learned the value of hard work, helping his dad with their family rendering plant business and also doing farm work. He often discussed this time, saying it was his job to milk 7 cows every morning, which is probably where Hank earned his trademark large, strong hands. 

In 1944 he enlisted in the US Army and was proud to serve his country. He marched across Europe and fought in the famous Battle of the Bulge. He earned a bronze medal for his heroic actions in assisting to evacuate a wounded soldier and the Purple Heart for being wounded in battle. He spent a time at a military hospital in Luxembourg and was honorably discharged and returned to Minot. 

Hank has always enjoyed a county fair, and it was at the Minot Fairgrounds attending a local dance that he met Beverly Zaback from Verendrye, ND. Bev and Hank were married in 1948 and soon after welcomed their 4 daughters. They lived for a time in Minot and Bismarck and eventually landed at their final residence in Sidney, MT.

In Sidney, Hank again worked at the rendering plant. When the plant burned down in 1977, Hank was able to apply his entrepreneurial skills and branch out into clearing his river bottom land to make it better for farming and began raising wild game, mostly elk, and selling the horns and hunts. Many people remember Hank proudly driving around Sidney with his trophy antlers mounted on the front of his pickup. He loved animals and often brought home the strangest of creatures, transporting them often, to Bev's dismay, in the backseat of her car! 

If you knew Hank, you knew he loved a practical joke and always had a bit of a twinkle in his eye! As proud as he was of his animals and jokes, Hank was most proud of his family. He loved his 4 daughters dearly and his special bonus daughter, Kim Byer. He would often take them on road trips to pick up animals to deliver to the rendering plant and since he had no sons, he raised them to work the land driving tractor, picking sticks and learning about irrigation. Hank was always up for a visit and he particularly enjoyed having coffee with his friends at the M&M and any family and friends that stopped by.  

Hank had an exceptional memory, even in his later years, and could recount history and past events with ease. He loved music and his daughters all remember driving and singing with him. He also could recite short little ditties about any situation off the top of his head.

In 2012, Henry lost the love of his life, Bev. He continued on, eventually moving into The Lodge in 2018 which he was not happy about at first but soon learned to enjoy and eventually, called home. He formed many new friendships and looked forward to visits and daily phone calls from his daughters. The staff at the Lodge adored Henry and the feeling was mutual.

Henry left this world to meet our Lord and be reunited with Beverly on December 21, 2024, at Sidney Health Center on his 99.5th birthday. He was surrounded in his last weeks by family, friends and phone calls. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him; may he rest in eternal peace. 

Hank is survived by his four daughters Connie (Pat) Corbett, Cindy (Bill) Westfall, Sandy Stip, and Nancy (David) Crighton; grandchildren Karolyn Corbett (Jimmy), Michael Corbett, Bobbie Jo (Nick) Lonski, David "Scott" (Lara) Crighton, and Nikki (Dave) Winter; great-grandchildren Caleb, Kanon, Brody, Owen, Alexa, Eli, Oaklee, David Calvin, Julia, Elice, Ivy, and Oaklee; and many other beloved family members.

Hank is preceded in death by his wife Beverly; parents John and Mabel; and siblings Rose, Clara, Maria, Kate, Wilma, Mable, John "Jack", and Ray.