Kristin Ipes
Kristin Loree Ipes (age 34) of Silsbee, Texas passed away on January 14, 2023 while battling cancer for the past 10 years. With Kristin’s optimistic attitude and warm personality, many people did not realize the severity of her health maladies. She was an amazing woman that touched so many peoples’ lives through her teaching, therapy, friendship, and kindness. Kristin was born on September 7th 1988. She was close to her family, particularly with her father, John Nelson Ipes. Kristin and her brother, Bo, grew up surrounded by animals, fishing and love on her father’s ranch in Newton, TX, with their grandparent close by. Kristin was a fun loving, high spirited, person with a great love for nature. She was never happier than when she was outdoors fishing, riding horses, working with her animals, and spending time with the people she loved. She was a cowgirl, free spirit, and excellent business woman. Kristin and her father, John, operated a third-generation company, Trophy Fish and Ponds, LLC, which has been in business for over 38 years. Travel was another great passion for Kristin. She enjoyed meeting new people and learning about their style of life. In addition to participating in trail rides and traveling throughout the US, she took several international trips to Europe and cruises in the Caribbean.
At the age of 16, Kristin began attending Lamar University as a student in the Texas Academy of Leadership in the Humanities. She completed her high school diploma and first 2 years of university studies simultaneously. As an undergraduate student, Kristin became a Scholar to participate in the elite Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program. Kristin continued her education to complete a Masters Degree in Community Psychology at Lamar University. She went on to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and established a private practice, Cowgirl Counseling, in 2014. Kristin maintained a strong presence within the Lamar University community assisting students through her roles as Instructor, Academic Advisor, and Counselor.
Kristin has had a tremendous impact on so many people through her work with the Department of Public Safety as a Victim’s Assistance Therapist. In addition to assisting families of accidents, Kristin supported families and officers who experienced mass casualty shootings across the state of Texas. As a Resilience Instructor she assisted officers in adapting to the stresses of their jobs. She also specialized in assisting victims of human trafficking. In 2019, Kristin was awarded the Department of Public Safety Employee of the Year. Although she worked in so many stressful, tragic situations, she maintained her enthusiastic, vibrant nature.
Kristin is proceeded in death by her grandparents, Billy Louis and Ellen Jean Ipes, her mother Carolyn Ipes Blackmon, and her brother John Robert (Bo) Ipes. She is survived by her father John Nelson Ipes, 3 half-brothers (Sammy, Adam, and Shane Brzowski), and many close friends. Kristin will be remembered with so much love by so many people.
A gathering of Kristin’s family and friends will be from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., Saturday, February 11, 2023, at Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee, followed by a private family graveside service.
Video
Gathering of Family and Friends
Broussard’s Mortuary Silsbee
- 490, Cemetery Road, Silsbee, Texas, 77656,
- February 11, 2023
- 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
This ladies photo was at the top of the obituaries as I checked it daily for 2 weeks or so. She looks like she was a pistol. I’m going to go back and view the video. All I can say is durn. Some die at 1y/o some at 102. Looks like we lost a good one here.
Amazing young lady you helped to raise, Mr. John Ipes. My wife and I drove about 3 hours this morning to pay tribute. Wanted to shake your hand and give you a hug, knowing something about the enormity of this loss, to all of us, but no doubt especially to you. She was so in love with her daddy, so in love with life in general. Inspirational, highly competent, relatable co-worker to me while I was at Lamar while I was department chair, and for me, it’s just such a tragedy that her light is in heaven now, taken from us as a consequence of the dark day when sin and death spoiled the tranquility of this state of being. I can’t be mad at God–my faith says she’s in a better place. But I can be, and am, full-on mad at Satan. Separation and death suck. I’ve hardly been in communication with Kristin since Lamar, except for a brief time in 2019 when she invited my help with a human trafficking project for which she was giving leadership. And yet, she still somehow felt so close, via her Facebook posts–so warm, so endearing, always bringing a smile, and sometimes a laugh. Was so enthusiastic about how much the world was going to gain from her presence and impact. Damn you, Satan. I mean, she did achieve a lot of beautiful things, but we all wanted her to be here with us for so much longer. God, please grant us reunion with Kristin sooner than later. Amen.
RIP KRISTIN ????
I met Kristin a few years ago when I was on staff at Meals on Wheels. Occasionally her police unit helped us deliver meals to our clients. She was such a beautiful woman in every way. She was so special and i loved seeing her and hearing about her work. As was stated in her obituary I never guessed she was challenged by cancer. I celebrate that she touched my life. The memory of her beautiful smile and cowgirl hat will forever enrich my life. I can only imagine how much those of you close to her will miss her earthly presence. With admiration and appreciation for a life lived too short but lived so well.
Kristin was a beautiful soul, a wonderful friend and one that I will never forget. She loved people, and she helped so many during her time at DPS. John, prayers for you and her sis and other family. Fly high sister, until we meet again. I love you!
Such a sweet person. Ride that white horse in heaven with your boots on Kristen Love you always. ♥️♥️♥️♥️
Mr. John ours thought and prayers are with you.
I worked with Kristin in the Undergraduate Advising Center at Lamar University. Her office was right by my front desk area. She was always so kind and welcoming to me. I have memories of visiting with her in her office or at the front desk that I’ll always have with me. I really liked and appreciated Kristin, not only as a coworker but also a friend. She never complained and she was never negative. She always had an easygoing nature about her. I will miss her terribly. My prayers are with her father and all who loved her. Rest in peace, Kristin.
Fly High with the Angels Sweetie. RIP
R.I.P. my dear friend. You are missed by so many.
Kristin was such a beautiful person. She will be missed. Her optimistic attitude was contagious and we are all better off having known her.
This is so hard to believe. I know it’s been a long time since we spoken, and used to be really close many years ago. Every time run into each other always try to catch up. You was a dear friend, and I will always miss you. R.i.p sweet cowgirl