Hanneke Ippisch was born and raised in the Netherlands. She became a Resistance Worker during World War II, when her country was invaded by Germany. She was imprisoned and released in the end of April 1945, when peace came. She then worked for H.M. Queen Wilhemina of Holland in her royal castle, traveled to Sweden, married and moved to the United States in 1956.

Ms. Ippisch became a graphic artist and later, an assistant to the Superintendent of California Schools. She them moved to Montana, where she still lives and works as a designer and writer.

Her writing career began in 1996 with the publication of Sky based on her memories of the Dutch Resistance. More recently she has published Spotted Bear which is a picture book version of a Native American story.