Kerry J. Grippen

Niagara- Kerry J. Grippen, age 75, of Niagara, Wis., passed away Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at Bellin Hospital, Green Bay, Wis.
He was born January 11, 1947, in Durand, Wis., son of the late Edmund and Leona (Lindstrom) Grippen. Kerry grew up in Durand and was a graduate of Durand High School, class of 1965. Following graduation, he received his master’s degree from River Falls University.
Kerry began teaching in Niagara in 1969, and in 1982 he became the principal of Niagara High School. He married the teacher across the hall, Terry Copp, and they’ve remained together 47 years. Kerry also was deeply involved in the school sports programs, serving as athletic director for several years.
After his retirement in 2002, he didn’t stop helping the school. He set up the annual Veteran’s Day Program; he helped “Stuff the Bus” with school supplies. He helped set up the Badger Boy and Girl Program and served on the Niagara School Scholarship Committee. He loved being an educator and served Niagara Schools well.
Kerry was a very active Lions Club member, serving for fifty years. He helped with vision screening and the annual community picnic. He ran the Miss Niagara Program. He was awarded the prestigious Lions Club International Foundation’s Melvin Jones Fellowship Award for all his efforts.
Kerry served on the Board of the Forward Financial Credit Union from 1977 and became the Board Chairman in 1999 until his death.
Every fall, he ran two Fantasy Football clubs and arranged their annual banquets.
Finally, 828 issues ago, Kerry began writing a column, “A View From The Bleachers,” for the Borderland Journal. He enjoyed this so much. He would talk about it during the week, and Sunday, he would sit down at his computer and write his “magic.” He especially enjoyed and loved the responses that all the different people, friends, family, former students, and colleagues sent to him. His family cannot begin to thank all those who cared for him.
Survivors include his loving wife, Terry Grippen, Niagara, Wis.; one son, Jon Grippen; one brother, Lee Grippen; two sisters, Jane Jafferi and Linda Tollefson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Saturday, April 2, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Iron Mountain, Mich. The memorial service will be Saturday, 12:00 noon at the church. Pastor Paul Strom will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Kerry Grippen Scholarship in c/o the Niagara High School Scholarship Fund.
Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Kerry’s family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com.
The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home & Cremation Services-Niagara Chapel, Niagara, Wis., to honor Kerry’s legacy of life.