Kim Michael Huppert, age 66, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Oct. 5, 2023. Kim was born on March 7, 1957 to parents Joseph Huppert and Mary Esteb, in Plum City, Wis. Kim spent the majority of his life residing in Ellsworth, Wis. where he owned various pieces of property including the old railroad depot in East Ellsworth. As a young adult, Kim made several trips to and from Las Vegas, Nev. where his mother resided, as well as some siblings. In the last decade of his life, when the Wisconsin winters would turn cold and grey, Kim would return to Las Vegas where he spent the winter months under the warm Nevada sunshine. There, he rescued three adoring dogs, who became his faithful travel companions on each trip and everywhere he traveled.
On Feb. 14, 1981, after one year of beautiful courtship, Kim joined hands in marriage with Elizabeth (Beth) Richie. The beloved couple began their married life in a mobile home Kim placed on the very property he spent his last days. There, Kim and Beth were soon blessed with two amazing children, Michael and Melissa, and then began to excavate the land and partnered with local friends and family to build the loving home he still has today.
Out of high school, Kim applied his lifelong passion for machines and engines by working at Mark Chevrolet in Ellsworth. He soon joined Eastern Airlines in Bloomington, Minn. as a Ground Mechanic, and then later went to Hoikka Implement, where he worked on tractors and other pieces of agricultural equipment. By age 30, Kim had developed a strong skill set in equipment and mechanics, where he then started his own repair shop at his home. Over the next two decades, he spent countless hours in his shop, repairing tractors and heavy equipment, as well as buying and selling various pieces along the way. As Kim acquired various loads of equipment over the years, he often explained or rather defended, that his winnings from a recent auction or “treasures” were at least worth the price of scrap.
In addition to an established knowledge for mechanics, Kim also had the desire to provide for his family and friends by collecting and processing his own maple syrup, grinding meats and sausages, raising pigs and building structures using his own sawmill; a true self-taught, jack of all trades. Kim often referred to these activities as “parties;” however, his true intentions were to ensure he was passing along these valuable life skills. By the time Kim entered a much-deserved retirement, it was evident that Kim had pursued a lifelong passion for agriculture and heavy equipment. Several tractors and machines often lined his property, ready for “show-n-tell” with a friend or neighbor and to ensure one really enjoyed watching that engine turn over, Kim made sure to have a package of brats ready on the grill or a container of freshly baked treats from his “Bethy.” Kim’s sole purpose in any visit with a friend or relative was to ensure all were left with a full belly and his “honest” opinion.
Kim’s dedication to his family often began with creating opportunities for his grandchildren to enjoy one another. They will always have fond memories of Grandpa’s famous golf cart rides or trips on the side-by-side, soon after snacking on a chocolate treat that was snuck past their Mom or Dad. In recent years, Kim especially cherished every Tuesday morning with his breakfast buddy, his mother-in-law “Jeri.” The two often swapped stories and laughed over past memories of family and friends. Kim will be remembered by all for his passion to provide for his family and friends, his memorable wit and his amazing ability to build or repair almost anything. If there was ever a need for a machine or tool to complete a job, Kim most likely had it. He was never one to have a desire for extravagant things, but could find value and purpose in almost anything. While it wasn’t always apparent to others, Kim’s born-again faith was a driving force in his life and one of his proudest achievements ever was witnessing his children and their families adopt a life dedicated to Jesus.
Kim Huppert leaves behind a legacy of cherished memories to his loving wife Beth Huppert; children Michael (Tiffany) Huppert and Melissa (Aaron) Campbell; grandchildren Carson, twins Owen and Olivia Campbell, Nathaniel and Makenzie Huppert; siblings Vicki (Gary) Nelson, Timothy (Susan) Huppert, Robin Johnson and Pamela Sans; mother-in-law Geraldine “Jeri” Richie; brothers/sisters-in-law Mary Jo (Rick) Langer, Phil Richie Jr, Lynn (Rich) Harris, and Patty (Randy Forar) Kittleson; and several nieces/nephews and friends.
Kim was preceded in death by his parents Joseph Huppert and Mary Esteb, twin siblings Michael Kilbride and Michelle Kini, father-in-law Phillip Richie Sr., sister in-law Sherri Richie and brother-in-law Rick Richie.
A Celebration of Life for Kim is being held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023 at C3–Crossroads Community Church (W7562 US Highway 10, Ellsworth, WI 54011) with visitation starting at 10 a.m. Arrangements are this Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
