Kip Lee Rogen

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

Print