Jo Ann Gipp

Jo Ann Gipp passed away at the age of 90 peacefully on January 6th, 2025. She was born July 20th, 1934 in Marion, Iowa to Clement and Maxine McGowan. She met her future husband, George Gipp while taking piano lessons. She married George when she was 17 and they had two children, Greg Gipp and Cindy Jo Grindle. 

In their early years of marriage, they farmed in Iowa and would vacation in Colorado. They both loved the mountains and in 1965, they bought a ranch in Collbran, Colorado. She and George knew what hard work was, from irrigating, bailing hay and taking care of livestock. Jo Ann loved sweets and made the best homemade goodies. 

As a child, she always dreamed of being a teacher. In 1980, she graduated from Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado along with her daughter Cindy Jo. She taught at Plateau Valley School for many years. 

After retiring she volunteered at St. Mary's hospital. They enjoyed their later years wintering down in Arizona with close friends. 

She loved dancing with George, yodeling and her years of singing with the Crystal Crackers. 

She leaves behind her son and daughter, Greg and Cindy Jo, Grandchildren Tamra Smith, Cary Gipp, Tirey Gipp and Kaela Thornton. As well as nine great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. Her fun, spicy, adventurous character will be missed by so many. 

Services will be held on January 17th at 1pm at Messiah Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to HopeWest Hospice Care. 3090 North 12th Street, Unit B. Grand Junction, CO 81506 or at HopeWestCO.org.

Ecclesiastes 12:7

"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. "

John 11:25-26

Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even though they die. Everyone who loves in me and believes in me will never die. "