Steve N. Lipp, 84, longtime Minot AFB and Minot barber, died Monday, July 29, 2019, in a Minot hospital.

Steve was born August 6, 1934 on the farm near Center, ND to Nicholas and Pauline (Wirtz) Lipp.  He grew up in the country, where he learned the necessities of life.  Steve attended your typical country school for the time, where he completed the requirement of eight years of formal education.

He enlisted into the US Army on March 17, 1954 at Fort Snelling, MN and received his basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO.  Steve served as a combat engineer and was stationed for 18 months in Frankfurt, Germany.  He was honorably discharged on March 13, 1956.  He returned to North Dakota.

Steve found work for a couple of years planting trees and landscaping for Oscar H. Wills and he also worked at Ken's Floral Shop, both of Bismarck.  Steve attended Moler Barber College of Hair Styling in Fargo.  He returned to Bismarck and was employed by Gus Merkle Barbershop during his apprenticeship and completion of his Master Barber's License.

Steve was united in marriage to Lavinia Staigle on June 23, 1958 in Center, ND.  They lived in Bismarck until a barber position at the Minot Air Force Base brought them to the Magic City in March 1963.  Steve gave haircuts for a dollar a cut in the main shop, flight line, missile shop until finishing his 18 year tenure on base back where he started in the main shop.  He took his skills to the barbershop at Town and Country Shopping Center.  He retired after 34 years as a barber in 2003.

He was a member of the KC Club in Minot and a member of the American Legion in Center.  Steve was a perfectionist.  He loved taking care of his lawn daily and every vehicle he owned was always full of gas and freshly polished.  To say he loved his family is an injustice.  He was our protector and provider and we were blessed to call him a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.  Cards games were a staple of family gatherings.  Canasta, smear and whist were a few of the family favorites.  Bingo at Bingorama was part of his days and other games of chance were enjoyed on many occasions.  Steve was proud to be part of the greatest generation who didn't have a smart phone or a computer at home…he left that part to his wife Lavinia.  He will be missed by all who shared in his life.

Steve is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Lavinia Lipp, Minot, ND; son Craig Lipp, Surrey, ND; daughters Annie (Troy) Degenstein, Minot, ND and Rita (Tracy) Godejohn, Minot, ND; grandchildren Shelby Lipp, Grace Lipp, Evan (Jolene) Youngs, Seth Frye, Josh Frye, Tiffany Degenstein, Quentin Degenstein, Kayla (Brody) Wolff, Michael Godejohn and Abby Godejohn; great-grandchildren Chloe, Ayden, Gabriel, Isaiah, Eli and Maverick Youngs and Ashlynn and Brayden Ramey; sisters Shirley Mosbrucker, Bismarck, ND and Margaret Bergloff, Fargo, ND; sisters-in-law, Cecilia Albers, Mandan and Julie Lipp, Bismarck, ND, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Robin Godejohn, sisters Flora Schmidt, Minnie Rapsavage and Gloria Halvorson, brothers Raymond and Frank Lipp and brothers-in-law, Matt Schmidt, Cosmor Rapsavage, Donnie Albers and Alfred 'Bill' Bergloff.

Mass of Christian Burial:  10:00 a.m. Friday, August 2, 2019 at St. Therese, Church of the Little Flower, Minot, ND
Vigil Prayer Service & Rosary:  7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 1, 2019 at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Interment:  11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, rural Mandan, ND.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 1, 2019, from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.