Donald Pipho

Don was born in Denver, IA, on April 20, 1935, the son of the late Ewald and Erna (nee Steege) Pipho. He is survived by his wife, Katheryn Pipho (nee Fankhanel); his children Paul (Joanne) Pipho, Katy Brunson, and Jennifer (Jim) Lasky; his grandchildren Kaila (Joe) Scattergood, Jessica (Mike Kurtz) Lasky, Christopher Pipho, Nicholas Brunson, and Michael Pipho; great grandchildren Charlotte and Isabel Scattergood; his sister Elaine (Howard) Gransee, sister Jeannette (Larry) Pettis, brother Norman (Margaret) Pipho, brother Merlin Pipho, and numerous nieces and nephews. Don served in the US Army from 1954 to 1956 before relocating to Silver Bay, MN where he worked for Reserve Mining. He later started and ran his own building maintenance business for many years in Brainerd and Bemidji, MN. Just prior to retirement, Don provided maintenance services for long term care facilities. One of Don’s favorite “jobs” was to be Santa. He had his own custom Santa suit and of course had his own beard to complete the look. He particularly enjoyed being Santa for handicapped children and the children in his family. Don was a faithful servant of Fountain of Life Lutheran Church in Sun City for many years, most recently serving as the Chairman of the Trustees. Don loved his church and wanted nothing more than to ensure the church was maintained in a manner that would make parishioners feel welcome in sharing their faith with each other and God. One of his first projects was to update all the lighting in the church, as well as refinishing the fellowship hall by replacing the flooring and redecorating. He was also very proud to have repaired the church steeple and had it cleaned to showcase the church. Don ensured the stained glass windows were sealed and polished, the roof was replaced, and lovely desert plants and flowers were planted around the grounds, amongst many other projects and daily tasks. Additionally, he secured several different groups to utilize the church facilities including the Sun Stitchers, Lifeline Screening, Meals of Joy, a shred-a-thon and Chamber of Commerce events. During the time that Don lived in Aztec, NM, he also made the stained glass windows for Zion Lutheran Church in Farmington NM, a large undertaking and project he was proud to have contributed to his church. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on June 10, 2022, at Fountain of Life Lutheran Church, 15630 N Del Webb Boulevard, Sun City, AZ. Family and friends are welcome to a gathering with coffee and “soaker” cookies to honor Don immediately after the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Donald P. Pipho to Fountain of Life Church Beautification Fund, 15630 N Del Webb Boulevard, Sun City, AZ 85351.