Erik G Lips

Erik Lips, a lifelong resident of Bismarck, passed away on May 22, 2018, at the age of 66. Services will be held at 1:00 pm Wednesday, May 30, at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 1004 E. Highland Acres. Rd, Bismarck, with Rev. Lisa Ahlness officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Tuesday, May 29, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E. Divide Ave., Bismarck. Erik was born on June 14, 1951, on his big brother’s birthday. He had an engaging personality, good sense of humor, and, as a child, was quite a jokester. Erik always enjoyed music, and played first the piano, then cornet, and French horn in school bands, eventually being part of a group as a drummer. He was a placekicker on the Bismarck Demons and UND Sioux football teams, being a member of the winning team of the 1972 Camelia Bowl. While at UND, he was an active member of ATO Fraternity, and graduated with a double major of business administration and accounting, becoming a CPA following graduation. He worked for many years at Murphy Insurance, later names Lips & Lahr Insurance. Erik, following in his father’s footsteps, was quite a golfer, and it was his passion until physical disabilities forced him to give it up. He enjoyed many golf-related trips, either to play or observe, including a number of trips to the U.S. Open. He was an animal lover, and gave many cats a home during his lifetime. He had been married twice, but had no children.Erik is survived by his brother, Evan W. Lips, Bismarck, nephew, Patrick Lips, Minot, niece, Stephanie (Rick) Blevins, and their sons, Ethan and Lucas, Fort Hood, TX; his sister, Deborah (James) Hill, Mesa, AZ, and niece, Carissa Hill, Bozeman, MT; aunt, Helen Kavonius; uncle, Richard Veal; special family friend, Sylvia Golke, all of Bismarck; and many cousins. Erik was preceded in death by his parents, Evan E. and Elsa Lips. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Lutheran Church of the Cross, 1004 E. Highland Acres Rd., Bismarck, ND, 58501, or the Central Dakota Humane Society, 2104 37th St, Mandan, ND 58554. Go to www.eastgatefuneral.com to share memories of Erik and sign the online guestbook.