It looks like mother Mary died.
May 1872 / Leeds
Mary Kipling / Age 34
Vol No: 9b / Page No: 284
George appears to have re-married and is listed in 1881 Census with new wife and family
Marriage
George Kipling / Elizabeth Heaney
March 1877
Vol No: 9b / Page No: 638
1881 Census Ref for George & Elizabeth
RG11 / 4522 / 133 / 11
Dee