Douglas Tipka

Douglas D. Tipka, age 63, of Lakeville, passed away suddenly on Friday, May 17, 2013 at his home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the All Saints Catholic Church in Lakeville. Interment will be held at the Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis.

Visitation will be held at the church on Wednesday from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.

Arrangements are being completed by the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault.

Douglas Duaine, the son of LeRoy and Audrey (Johnson) Tipka, was born on July 9, 1949 in Litchfield, MN. At a young age, Doug's family moved to Rochester where he graduated from John Marshall High School in 1967. After graduating, Doug later enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves in 1967 and was later discharged in 1973. He continued his education at the University of Minnesota -Duluth and later graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology in 1973. He was united in marriage to Laurie Benzoni on August 30, 1969 and she later preceded him in death on April 28, 2008.

Doug was a lifelong grocery and convenience store manager, first starting at the Piggly Wiggley store in Rochester shortly after graduating from high school. He joined the family business and operated stores in Faribault, Cannon Falls, Norwood Young America and Pine Island. Also, Doug was a District Manager for many Seven Eleven and Sinclair gas stations and most recently was a store director for Rainbow Foods. He enjoyed bowling, going to the horse track, traveling with family and friends, wintering in Ft. Myers, Florida and also watching the Minnesota Twins and Vikings as well as other sports teams.

Doug is survived by his mother, Audrey Tipka of Rochester; his siblings, Kim (Carol) Tipka of Pine Island, Fred (Karen) Tipka, Judy (Mike) Pfeffer of Rochester and Mary (Patrick) Malone of Rochester; his brothers-in-law, Peter Benzoni of Apple Valley and Daniel (Debbie) Benzoni of Saginaw, MN; his nieces and nephews, Greg and Brad Pfeffer and Jenna and Dan Tipka and by other relatives and friends.

Doug was preceded in death by his father and by his wife Laurie.