Dwayne Marshall Zipse

Dwayne Marshall Zipse was born on March 14, 1939, and joined his Father in Heaven early Friday morning, March 31, 2023.

Dwayne was married to Mary Jane (Floto) on Nov.17, 1957 and formed a strong farming partnership steeped in a love for land and family. Together they built a dairy farm that provided the best place to raise a family. He grew up active in the 4-H and FFA, loved playing his trombone and singing.

When they left the dairy, Dwayne filled is mornings, afternoons and many evenings driving the school bus for the Forrestville Valley, Pecatonica and Winnebago school districts. This also allowed him into support his granddaughters’ varied activities. 

He was a member of the Leaf River and Ogle County Pomona Granges. Dwayne’s family was named the Illinois State Grange Farm Family of the Year in the early 1970s. In 2006, he was recognized as a Servant of the People by the Pomona Grange. For many years, Dwayne served as a trustee for both the German Valley Grain Elevator and Leaf River Fire Department and was also a board member of the American Dairy Association. He was an active member of both St. James Lutheran and Seward Congregational churches.

For more than forty years, Dwayne and Mary Jane enjoyed playing cards and dominos in their card club with friends. He loved playing euchre and was up for a game with anyone who would stop by for a visit. He played even when he first went to the nursing home.

Thank you to the staff at Pinecrest Manor Nursing Center, and the Northern Illinois and Serenity Hospices for your care and compassion.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane, three children – Gaylen, Gwyn and Sarah – granddaughters Adriane (Jake) White, Angela (Tyler) Patterson, Alyssa (Amanda) Poggioli, Amanda (Mitch) Hopkins, April Poggioli, and great grandchildren Melissa and Marshall White; Hudson and Nash Patterson; Benjamin Loudermilk; Jackson, Landon, Weston, Brooklyn Hopkins; his brother Kenneth, sisters and brothers-in-law, many nieces and nephews, and April’s dog, Cooper, who provides companionship for her grandparents.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Nelda Zipse, and sister-in-law, Theresa Zipse.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday April 4, 2023 at 11:30 A.M. in Seward Congregational Church with Rev. Joel Hicke officiating.  Visitation will be held on Tuesday April 4, 2023 from 10:00 A.M. until service time in the church.  A family burial will be held in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Freeport, IL.

Memorials will be directed to Seward Congregational Church and Northern Illinois Hospice.

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