Mildred Ruth Sip, daughter of Julius and Grace Kortmeyer, was born June 3, 1914 on a small farmstead south of Burke, SD. She had several siblings including five sisters, Alice, Grace, Jane, Laura, and Mable, and 2 brothers Almon and Arthur. Another brother, Louie, died in infancy before Mildred was born.

Mildred's first four years were spent on the Burke farmstead. After the birth of Almon, Mildred and her family moved to a farm south of Naper, NE where she lived for about the next sixteen years. She often told of her time on this farm, describing how the family home was made of sod, and how she had to walk over a mile each day to school.

Her first job, away from the farm, was keeping house and caring for Paul, the child of the Skvaril family in Geddes, SD. It was during this time she met George Edward Sip. They were united in marriage on May 22, 1939. Mildred and George had 2 children, Melva Jean and Raymond Lee.

The Sip family lived in Geddes and Platte, SD before moving to Bonesteel, SD in the late 1940s. In Bonesteel, Mildred and George built the Bonesteel Locker Plant which they owned and operated for 30 years. They were well known for their award winning Sip bologna which they delivered to grocery stores and butcher shops throughout the area.

One of the most difficult events in Mildred's life was the death of Raymond, who was killed in Vietnam in January 1969. Mildred dearly loved her family - and it was clear the loss of her son deeply affected her, although she rarely spoke of it.

Some of Mildred's favorite times were the annual visits from out-of-state pheasant hunters, some of whom stayed as guests at her Bonesteel home. Many of these hunters became very good friends over the many years they visited.

After George passed away in 1981, Mildred continued to live alone in Bonesteel. She enjoyed visits from her friends and family, especially visits from her grandchildren (and eventually, great grandchildren). Her favorite past time was playing bingo with her friends; "going bingoing" as she called it.

Mildred moved to Sioux Falls, SD in 2000 living in a trailer home near her daughter Melva. While she didn't like to leave her home of over 50 years, she did enjoy the opportunity to spend more time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren - many of whom lived in the Sioux Falls area.

Failing health eventually led her to Covington Heights nursing home where she was a resident at the time of her death on August 12, 2005.

While she will be sorely missed by her loving family, they are comforted by the knowledge that Mildred is now reunited in heaven with the loved ones who preceded her in death and her Lord & Savior.

She is survived by two sisters Laura Adam and Jane Smith; her daughter Melva Davis; her grandchildren Dwaine Davis, David Davis, DeAnne Rechtenbaugh, Robert Davis, and Derick Davis; her great grandchildren Mychal, Paige, Sydney, and Jonah Rechtenbaugh; Jake and Julie Davis; Tucker and Kellen Davis; and Emma Davis.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 at 2:00 PM at Zion Lutheran Church in Bonesteel. Burial will be in the Pleasant Lawn Cemetery, Geddes, SD. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service at the church.