Barbara Warner Hipple

Barbara (Babs) Warner Hipple died peacefully at her daughter, Sue Burnett’s home in Moscow on Wednesday May 3, 2023. She was 89 years old.

Barb was born a premature twin, December 2, 1933 to Robert and Inez Warner in Oak Park Illinois.

She and her siblings (Bob(twin) and Carol) grew up during the depression.  They were never without necessities since her father was a manager at a candy factory in Chicago.

She graduated from Oak Park/River Forest Highschool in 1951 and moved to Dekalb Illinois to attend Northern Illinois State Teachers College.  It was there, that she chose Tom Hipple (the most handsome guy in the room) to be her dance partner.  After graduating and receiving a bachelors degree in Education, she and Tom were married July 2 1955.  They honeymooned on their way to the USMC base at Camp Lejeune, NC.  Their son Daniel arrived a year later.

In the summer of 1957, Barb and Tom moved to Madison Wisconsin for Tom to pursue graduate work in guidance and counseling and their daughter Carol Lynn was born.  Four years later daughter Sue was born and the family moved to Columbia Missouri and then Kent Ohio for Tom to pursue his PhD.  During these years Barb poured herself into her growing family and was a devoted loving mother.  It was there that Barb recaptured her love of teaching in a public school in nearby Ravenna Ohio.

In 1969 the family moved westward to Moscow Idaho for Tom to join the faculty at the U of I and they made it their lifelong home.  Barb began teaching in Moscow in 1972 and taught ( 4th & 5th  grade) for 22 years. She received her master’s degree in education from the University of Idaho in 1977.   She was a creative, passionate teacher that worked hard to bring subjects to life.  She was loved by her students and they gave her great joy. She was involved with the MEA and NEA and was grateful to have served as a negotiator during the 1987 teachers strike.

Barb retired from teaching in 1995 to pursue her second career as a caterer. She studied and trained for two years at the culinary arts program at Boise State University.  A life-long gourmet cook, Barb now was able to share her gifts with the greater community.  One of Barb’s favorite outlets for cooking was at the First Presbyterian Church community weekly suppers every Wednesday night.  She would develop menus, shopping lists and help cook meals.  She also catered events around town and called her business “RhuBarb” (one of her favorite foods).

Barb enjoyed walking fast, hiking, skiing and swimming. She was an avid bridge player and played with her dear friends for over 50 years.  At First Presbyterian Church she was a deacon, taught Sunday school, sang in the choir and participated in two mission trips to Mississippi. She was also a docent for the Latah County historical society.

Barb and Tom enjoyed traveling throughout Europe and Australia.  She participated in two different teacher exchanges in Guatemala and the UK.

Barb had many wonderful moments in her long life. One she especially cherished, was being honored by her sister Carol Warner Shields when she dedicated her Pulitzer Prize book “Stone Diaries” to her

She is survived by her three children, Dan Hipple (Debbie), Carol Hipple Kawula (Tom), Sue Hipple Burnett (Eric), 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.  Barb was preceded in death by her husband, Tom Hipple; brother Bob Warner and sister Carol Warner Shields.

The family would like to thank First Presbyterian Church for loving Barb so well. Also, thank you to Elite Hospice for helping Barb die with great dignity.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Moscow at 2:00 pm on Saturday June 10th.

In remembrance of Barb’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the Presbyterian Church Youth Mission Fund or to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.