Barbara Louise Sipka

     Barbara Louise Sipka, age 82, of Bannister, MI, passed away on Friday, October 24, 2025, in Beufort, SC.
     A Memorial Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI, on Saturday, December 13, 2025, 1:30 P.M. Burial will take place at Ford Cemetery, Elba Twp., MI. Visitation will be held from 12:30 P.M. until the time of the service at the funeral home.
     Barbara was born in Hamilton Twp., MI, on July 7, 1943, the daughter of Edward and Vianna(Wymer) Morbitzer. She married Edward Sipka on November 12, 1960, in Ithaca, MI. They were blessed with fifty-seven years of marriage; prior to his passing on June 27, 2018.
     She was blessed with skills from her mother to crochet beautiful keepsakes, and also taught herself quilting. She enjoyed playing cards and bingo, which was followed up with random trips to the casino. She grew a large garden and stocked our cupboards with canned vegetables, stewed tomatoes, and juice. She loved cats and when she welcomed, Buddy, into her home, he became her life and brought her much happiness.
     She is survived by her children: Edward (Diane) Sipka, Jr., Brenda (Michael) Allen and Rodney (Andrea) Sipka; her grandchildren: Justin (Melissa) Hubbard, Chad (Nicole) Sipka, Trish (Brian) Henry, Shawn (Kelly) Sipka, and Brandon (Emily) Sipka; great-grandchildren: Lily Sipka, and Benjamin Henry. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ed, and her siblings: Edward Morbitzer, Cloah Nostrant, Judy Heckard, Sandra Coe, and Karen West.
     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Brenda Allen, who will disburse funds to local animal shelters out of respect for her love of cats. Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.