Ingrid Shipley
Ingrid Shipley, age 77, of Polo, MO, went to be with her Savior in Heaven on Thursday afternoon, Sept. 16, 2021, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence, KS. She was born Oct. 26, 1943, the daughter of Robert and Rosina (Weinmann) Kern in Daxweiler, Germany. Ingrid immigrated to the US in 1965 to the Kansas City area. For the past 20 plus years, she lived in Polo with her best friend, Dean Hicks.
Ingrid worked hard all her life, most recently as a Certified Nursing Assistant and a homemaker. She attended Knoxville Community Church prior to attending Christ Chapel Church, outside of Polo. Her faith, and the companionship of her family and friends made some really hard days at the end of her life bearable.
One of Ingrid’s most remarkable traits was her ability to make everyone feel loved and connected. She always had a smile for strangers. Her laugh could lighten up a room. An incredibly kind and beautiful woman, Ingrid was always looking out for all living things, especially all the animals in her life. She had even named the squirrels that lived in the tree outside her window. Her family will always remember the special way she had of telling stories, especially when she would talk about her childhood and all the adventures she had with her brother and sisters in Germany. Ingrid was always there for those she loved, never forgot birthdays, and will be remembered for her beautiful dinner prayers, where she always prayed for the sick and the hurt. Ingrid will be dearly missed but those who loved her knowing that she will always be there to take care of them in spirit.
Ingrid was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Else; and brother, Robert.
Survivors include her children, Robert (Sylvia) Shipley of Lacey, WA, Angela (Doug) Bennett of Lecompton, KS, Jim (Melissa) Shipley of Smithville, Cristine Shipley of Lawrence, KS, and George Shipley of Plant City, FL; best friend, Dean Hicks and his family of Polo; siblings, Lore (Dieter) Thomas, Doris Fischer, and Erika (Günther) Rebentrost, all of Germany; grandchildren, Aaron, Kirsten, Jon, Nick, Madi, Joshua, Brandon, Nic and Reese; great-grandchildren, Rowan and Arli; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family members of Germany.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Agape Impact Ministries and The Mango Home (a ministry founded by her granddaughter that serves teenage girls in the Philippines) in care of the funeral home. Graveside services are scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25, at Zimmerman Cemetery, south of Polo. There is no scheduled visitation. Friends may call from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday at Stith Funeral Home. Arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Stith Funeral Home in Polo, (660) 354-2214. An online guestbook may be accessed at www.stithfamilyfunerals.com.
