Glenda M. (Lehman) Kipfer

Glenda Magdalena Lehman Kipfer, 95, of 9918 State Rt. 812, Croghan, died on November 1, 2023 at home under the loving care of her family, caregivers, and Hospice.

      Born February 13, 1928 in Beaver Falls, NY, a daughter of John Z. and Lovina Mae (Virkler) Lehman.  She graduated from Beaver Falls High School in 1945.

      Glenda married Melvin Kipfer on August 10, 1946 at the United Methodist Church Parsonage in Beaver Falls, and together lived in Western, NY for the first couple of years.  After that, they began flipping houses before it was so popular.  Their first was an operating small farm on Swiss Road in Castorland where they lived for a few years before the next renovation on a home in Naumburg.  They later purchased and refurbished “the Brick House” on Shady Avenue in Croghan where they remained for many years before she designed and helped Melvin build a new home on the Old Indian River Road in 1973.  There they owned and operated a Christmas tree farm before eventually moving to their present State Route 812 residence in 2014.  Melvin died on March 4, 2019.

      In her earlier years, Glenda worked as a mother and homemaker.  In the 1960s, she went to work for Beaver River Central School where she was a baker until her retirement in 1983.

      Glenda was a charter member of the Salem Christian Fellowship Church in Beaver Falls, where she was instrumental in starting their Sunday School program.  She was also a former member of the Black River Valley Campers Club, Beaver River Senior Citizens, Lewis County General Hospital Ladies Auxiliary, the Croghan Quilting Club, and the North Country Square Dancers.

      Her life’s most favorite pastime was traveling with her husband in their motor home to every state throughout the entire United States, including Alaska and Washington DC, and much of Canada.  They also traveled together to Hawaii, Mexico, the Bahamas, Australia, and throughout Europe.  She also enjoyed craft making, knitting and crocheting, and especially enjoyed making Christmas wreaths in front of the woodstove in the barn on their Christmas tree farm.

      Surviving are her four children, Linda M. (Wendell) Kuhl, of Croghan; Stanley D. (Diane) Kipfer, of Telluride, CO; Dayle M Kipfer and Rebekah Catalano, of Glenfield; and Diane D. (Gary) Beller, of Carthage; eight grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; her sister, Beverly Kloster, Croghan; her brother-in-law Calvin Beachy, Florida; her sisters-in-law Eleanor Lehman, Beaver Falls, and Josephine Kipfer, Marilla; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

      In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her three brothers, Virgil Lehman, Eldred “Nick” Lehman, and Darwin Lehman.

Calling hours for Glenda will be held on Friday, November 10, 2023 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the Salem Christian Fellowship Church, Beaver Falls, NY, her memorial service will be held at the church as well beginning at 2:30 p.m. followed by burial in the Riverside Annex Cemetery. 

     Memorial contributions may be made to the Salem Christian Fellowship Church.

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