Long-time Palmer resident Judy Wipper has been named the 2019 Palmer Day Grand Marshal, an honor bestowed on her for her years-long commitment to serving the community.

Wipper has resided in Palmer Twp. for the past 54 years. Her husband Duane grew up Palmer, and a couple years after they were married, they moved there together and were blessed with seven daughters and one son. 

Wipper has served the Palmer community in numerous ways over the years, most notably as the Palmer Twp. clerk for 26 years. One year she was chosen to attend the National Conference for Twp. Clerks held in Washington D.C.

She also worked for the Clear Lake Lions as their gambling bookkeeper for 22 years and said they couldn’t have treated her any better.

For 18 years she was the secretary at St. Lawrence Church, where she said she was fortunate to work with two really good priests. She just retired from the position in June.

“I learned a lot from all my jobs,” said Wipper. “And they have all been really fun or I wouldn’t have stayed.”

Wipper’s daughters, Lisa Hinkemeyer, Carin Wipper, Jilleen Paul, Cindy Corey and Char DeMarais, found out their mother was being named Grand Marshal before Wipper did and planned a surprise for her.

They made sure they were at their mom’s house when Palmer Day Co-Chair Joanie Ernzer came by to give Wipper the news, and after she did, they all whipped off their outer shirts to reveal t-shirts that read, ‘Daughter of a Queen.’ Granddaughter Chloe DeMarais’ shirt read, ‘Granddaughter of a Queen.’

“It was a real surprise!” said Wipper.

“She is a wonderful lady and very deserving of the honor of Grand Marshal,” said Ernzer.

Today Wipper lives on the land next door to the family’s homeplace, which has been in her husband’s family for over 100 years.

“I enjoy the people in Palmer,” she said. “It was fun working with them and it felt good if you could do something for them. That’s what it was all about. There was never a time that I regretted any of it.”

She enjoys spending time with her kids and grandkids and travels a lot with a group of three friends who are widowed like herself.

“We go and have a blast!” said Wipper. 

In March she and her daughters went to South Padre, TX, where they spent time bonding and enjoying each other. She has two more trips already planned.

“God has been with me,” said Wipper. “Even with the sad times in life there is always good that happens. Life is good.”