Elton Koepke

Elton John Koepke, age 86, passed on peacefully in his sleep, to his eternal home with Jesus on Tuesday February 16, 2010 at his home in Bloomer. Elton was born on March 8, 1923 to Andrew J. and Bertha M. Koepke in Hallie, WI.

Elton grew up on the family farms in Hallie and Cornell, WI before eventually settling in Bloomer, WI. It was here, after playing a football game in the fall of 1940 that he contracted polio, leading to his hospitalization in St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chippewa Falls, WI and later the University of Wisconsin Hospitals in Madison.

While going through rehabilitation at Eau Claire Luther Hospital, Elton attended Orthopedic School, earning his diploma from Eau Claire Memorial High School in 1942. During this time, he boarded at the home of Irving and Gracia Payne and became good friends with their son, Lawrence. Several years later, after the Payne family had moved to St. Paul, Lawrence matched up his little sister, Aderienne, with Elton for a double date, and the rest is history!

On June 16, 1951, Elton married Aderienne Blanche Payne. They honeymooned on the North Shore of Minnesota before moving into their new home, which he custom designed and built for them on Main Street in Bloomer. There, they shared many memories in 56 ½ years together.

After earning a business degree in accounting from the Vocational School in Eau Claire, Elton went to work for Babbitt Brothers Trucking in 1943, becoming the Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager until his semi-retirement in 1979. He then worked as a consultant and advisor to Montgomery Tank Lines until 1984, when he left the trucking industry to fill his time with travel, woodworking and being a grandpa.

After retirement, Mom and Dad travelled extensively and found great joy in reuniting with friends and relatives across the country. Their travels covered all 48 of the continental states, with extended stays along the beaches of Florida and Texas. Even before retirement, frequent family trips to Duluth and the Minnesota North Shore were the highlight of every summer.

Woodworking was a lifelong passion for Dad. He made numerous pieces of furniture for his family, and was known for his beautiful turned vases, candle holders and bowls which graced their home and were given as gifts to family and friends as well as sold at many local craft fairs over the years. Rebuilding a Spinet piano destroyed in the Colfax tornado was indicative of Dad’s ability to see potential where others only saw impossibility. He was actively working in his woodshop right up to the last days and always found great satisfaction in the creative process and simple joy in sharing his creations with others.

As a father and grandfather he was blessed with five children, eleven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. One of his great joys was being involved with them all. The grandkids all marveled at the magic skittles Grandpa would make appear out of their ears! He always made time to be interested in their lives and always asked about their jobs, homes, schooling, sports and activities. When he was able, he attended as many games, concerts, and important events and when he couldn’t attend, he always took great delight in the stories and descriptions. His pride in his kids and grandkids was always evident.

Before being stricken by polio, Dad was known as an outstanding football and baseball player on the Bloomer fields and had hopes of playing professional baseball. While this disease took away an ability to walk, run and pursue athletic dreams, it couldn’t slow him down and it absolutely never stopped him. His life was an example of never accepting difficulty as an impediment, but rather as a challenge to simply be overcome or outsmarted. As his health failed these last few months, his resolve to fight on and overcome was as strong as ever and was an amazing inspiration to those around him.

Elton is survived by; children, Janet Lebeis, Bloomer; Sandra (Clifford) Davis, Chisago City, MN; Paul Koepke, West Allis, WI; Pamela (Bradley) Dietsche, Colfax, WI; Michael (Lisa) Koepke, Eden Prairie, MN; grandchildren, Samuel (Veronica) Lebeis, Sarah Davis (Skye Thomas), Adam Davis, Gregory, Jocelyn, Andrew, Kevin, and Scott Dietsche, Carl, John, and Matthew Koepke; great-grandchildren, Patrick A. and Alaina Lebeis.

He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Helen Koepke and Joanna Koepke; brother-in-law, Dr. Leslie A. Payne and sister-in-law Barbara Payne; several cousins and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife Aderienne; parents, Andrew and Bertha; brothers, Bertram, Dennis, David and Donald; son-in-law, Patrick H. Lebeis; grandchildren, Jacob Lebeis and Christian Koepke; brother-in-law, Lawrence Payne; sisters-in-law Eunice Koepke, Florence Koepke, Virginia Payne Bradford and niece, Candice (Koepke) Kotke.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 2:00 P. M. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Bloomer, WI. Friends may call from 4 to 9 P. M. Saturday, February 20, 2010 at Olson Funeral Home, Bloomer and one hour before the service, Sunday, at the church. Interment will follow the service at the Bloomer City Cemetery. On-line condolences may be expressed at olsonfuneralhomebloomer.com.

Dad was confident in Jesus as his Savior and the promise found in the 4th chapter of 2nd Timothy; “The time has come for my departure. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

You can rest now, Dad, your work here is finished. Thanks for all you taught us; for sharing your faith and life with us.