Kip Lee Rogen
May 21, 2011
Kip Lee Rogen, 15, died early May 21 from injuries sustained in a car accident. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 26, 2011, at Rising Sun Church of Christ, 6390 NE Rising Sun Drive in Pleasant Hill. Visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street.
Kip was born August 24, 1995, to John and Karla Rogen at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. During his short 15 years Kip had a lasting impact on many, many people.
Kip attended Mercy Daycare and Shining Stars. He then began his education at Pleasant Hill Elementary School and Hoyt Middle School in Des Moines, before attending Des Moines East High School his freshman and part of his sophomore year. In January he transferred to Southeast Polk High where he quickly found a home both in the classroom and on the athletic fields.
Kip loved sports and he excelled at several different levels. He got an early start in baseball playing with Pleasant Hill Little League and also on several youth AAU baseball teams. After transferring to Southeast Polk High School in January, he was preparing to play baseball and football for the Rams this summer and fall. He also was a member of the freshman and sophomore East High School football teams, and earned an athletic letter at East High as a freshman on the varsity team. Kip was always up for a game of tennis, round of golf, movie night or any other endeavor his friends came up with.
Still, it wasn’t only on the sports fields where Kip’s star shined brightly. Whether hanging out with friends, playing a practical joke, spending time at his grandparents’ farm in rural Perry or in the classroom, Kip had a gregarious, engaging personality that was a true gift to those around him.
Those left to cherish his life and memories include his parents, John and Karla Rogen of Des Moines; grandparents, Jasper and Leverne Rogen of Cedar Rapids and June Pitsenbarger of Perry; uncles and aunts, Donald (Susan) Rogen, Janice Rogen (Alan Cart) and Susan (Rick) Rissman all of Cedar Rapids, Gerald (Natalie) Rogen of Corpus Christi, Texas; Derry (Joyce) Pitsenbarger of Perry and Doyce Pitsenbarger of Aloha, Oregon; and many cousins, other extended relatives and special friends. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Dale Pitsenbarger.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Community Choice Credit Union, Kip Rogen Memorial Fund.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Mike and Ginny (Bauer) Harkin
05/23/2011
Karla and John,
We know no words can really ease the grief and sorrow you are going through right now, but hopefully it will help to know our thoughts and prayers are with you. We never know why such a bright young man such as your son, Kip, is taken from us so soon. We need to have faith that God had a reason and a plan for him.
We are so sorry for your loss.
Laurie Conner
05/23/2011
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Kip. Words cannot express how we feel. You are all i nour thoguths and prayers.
Amanda Fox
05/23/2011
My heart aches for your loss I remember Kip and his eagerness to do everything possible.He is an angel in heaven,this I am sure of. Please take comfort in knowing that he touched so many lives in such a positive light!I am praying for your family.
Amy Whitlatch-Gillum
05/23/2011
Karla and John,
Of course I am at a loss for words as how to express my grief over your loss.
We were pregnant at the same time and I always loved finding what was going with Kip and watching him grow as my own kids grow. Of course Kip knew he was truly loved and you should be so proud that he thought you were his role model. I wish there was more I could do for you, so I hope these words mean something. You are in my thoughts and prayers...Amy
Diane King
05/23/2011
Karla & Family,
My son, Dillon Hernandez, met Kip at Hoyt and quickly became friends. Dillon always spoke highly of Kip. Remember when Kip and Dillon panted those coveralls for the girls state basketball tournament in my driveway last year? We still laugh when we see the paint in the driveway. My heartfelt condolences to you on the death of Kip. Kip was a good friend to Dillon. He was an awesome kid and had a great personality. May God give you the strength during this difficult time.
shelly farnsworth
05/23/2011
i was the luch lady at pleasant hill school when he went there he was a very special kid , my prayers are with you karla god bless.
Telisa Dawson Sanders
05/23/2011
Karla and family,
My dearest thoughts go out to you and your family. My son played baseball with Kip and he was always a smiling kid having fun. You were always the team mom of the group and his biggest supporter. My prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Telisa Dawson Sanders
DALE &SALLY DYKES
05/23/2011
KARLA & FAMILY
MET YOU WHEN I HAD HIP REPLACEMENT LAST SEPT. THOUGHT YOU WERE TOUGH
BUT SOON REALIZED YOU REALLY CARED FOR YOUR PATIENTS & WANTED THE
BEST FOR ALL OF US. YOU WERE GREAT.
HEARD ABOUT YOUR SON & OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO YOU & YOUR FAMILY. CAN'T
IMAGINE YOUR PAIN. I KNOW MANY ARE THINKING OF YOU, PLEASE KNOW YOU
ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS & PRAYERS. DALE & SALLY DYKES--LEON,IA