Dee Koepke, age 80, of Granite Falls died Friday, January 15, 2021, two weeks after her husband Gene, at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Memorial Services for both Dee and Gene will be held January 30, 2021, at 11:00 AM at Granite Falls Lutheran Church in Granite Falls with interment following at Granite Falls City Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. A video of the service will be available following the service on the funeral home website.
Delores “Dee” Mae Koepke was born on May 16, 1940, in Granite Falls, Minnesota, the daughter of Frank and Clara (Johnson) Syring. She was baptized on October 20, 1940 and later confirmed in the Lutheran faith on May 30, 1954 both at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. She attended school and graduated on May 27, 1958 from the Granite Falls High School.
On September 16, 1961, Dee was united in marriage to Gene Koepke at Granite Falls Lutheran Church. They made their home in Granite Falls and the couple was blessed with four sons. Dee raised her family and also worked as a nurse’s assistant at the Granite Falls Manor and then went to work at Parker Hannifin. After retiring, Dee thoroughly enjoyed volunteering and working with her friends at Prairie Rose Assisted Living.
Dee enjoyed cooking, baking and reading. The couple enjoyed traveling together, making a trip to Germany and several bus trips. Dee loved going to the lake and camping with her family. She will be greatly missed.
Dee is survived by her sons, Jeff (Becky) Koepke of Granite Falls, Jim (Faye) Koepke of Sioux Falls, SD, Jerry (Sheila) Koepke of Granite Falls, Joe (Kim) Koepke of Hutchinson; grandchildren, Kathy (Jacob) Gregoire, Tyler Koepke, Jake (Shelby) Koepke, Alex (Courtney Anderson) Koepke, Zach Koepke, Adam (Dani) Koepke, Jada (Brandon Ludewig) Koepke, Braden (Madi Seifert) Koepke; great grandchildren, Derek, Jake, Raelynn; sisters-in-laws, Nancy Syring of Granite Falls, Carol (Jerry) Downey of Huddleston, VA; her dear friend, Kelly Winters; as well as other relatives and friends.
Dee was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Clara Syring; father and mother-in-law, Arthur and Clarice Koepke; sister, Harriet (Don) Schroepfer; brothers, Darrel Syring and Harold Syring.