Ernestine Hipp, 90, of Sweet Home, Oregon passed away Saturday, July 30. She was born March 27, 1926 in Holley, the daughter of Earnest and Vina (Matlock) Malone.

She attended Holley Christian Church since birth and was baptized on June 14, 1946 by Harry Benton in the Calapooia River. She attended Greenville Grade School and later graduated from Sweet Home in 1944. She worked for Swamp Mountain Logging Company and Santiam Logging Company in the office from 1944–1952. She was proud to be licensed as Sweet Home’s first lady pilot on February 20, 1946.

Ernestine married Erick C. Hipp on March 28, 1948 at the Holley Christian Church. They raised three children together.

Ernestine was a 4-H leader for 11 years in livestock, sewing, cooking, and canning. She was the Secretary-Treasure for Union Cemetery Association of Crawfordsville since 1987 and Finley Pioneer Cemetery since 1995. She had been elected as a director since 1979 and retired due to health May 4, 2013. She was a member of American Legion since 1968. After her husband’s death, she worked for optometrists Dr. Buhn, Dr. Rickman, and Dr. Kyle. She enjoyed working for the church until arthritis slowed her down.

Ernestine traveled with her children and grandchildren to Disneyland three times, an Alaskan cruise, and trip to Abu Dhabi in United Arab Emirates where she rode a camel and dune bashed. She took a trip to London, went white water rafting, enjoyed a jet ski trip on the Columbia, and several trips to the coast. Ernestine enjoyed and loved her family as well as friends, and the companionship of her little pugs, Millie and Angel. She enjoyed sewing and gardening.

Ernestine was survived by daughters Robin (Hipp) Dada and Ronda Hipp; sister Wanda Church; grandchildren Daniel McGrew, Adam Zoubi, Mackenzie Thomas, and Matrika Hipp; and great grandchildren Gage Willard, Malone McGrew, and Christian Thomas.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Erick C. Hipp; son Kevin C. Hipp; and siblings Thomas, James, Leslie, Francis, and Thelma.

Graveside service will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 5, at Union Cemetery. Memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m., Friday at Holley Christian Church.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions in Ernestine’s name to the Meals On Wheels program.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.