Keppler, Harold William 1915-1999

KEPPLER, HOEGER, RIES, BURR, BUSHAW, SCHOULTE, LAMPHERE, BROOKS, OTDOERFER, LAUGHEAD

Posted By: Connie Ellis (email)
Date: 8/28/2011 at 16:35:59

SOURCE: Monona, Iowa MONONA BILLBOARD, December 29, 1999
Contributor: Connie Ellis (Not related)

Funeral services for Harold William Keppler, age 84, of Strawberry Point, Iowa were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, December 27 at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Burial was in the Strawberry Point Cemetery. Roberson Funeral Home of Strawberry Point was in charge of arrangements.

Harold William Keppler, son of Henry Anselm and Rose (Hoefer) Keppler, was born July 23, 1915 in New Vienna, Iowa. He attended German Language schools in New Vienna. He married Lucille Ries on September 6, 1939 in Holy Trinity Church in Luxemburg, Iowa. They became the parents of eleven children. The couple farmed in the Edgewood, Iowa, Arlington, Iowa, and Strawberry Point, Iowa areas until 1967. Harold retired from active farming and served as a park attendant at Backbone State Park. Upon full retirement, Harold and Lucille pursued an active life of camping and fishing along the Mississippi River, snowmobiling, and building waterwheels for the spring-fed stream by his rustic cabin.

Harold enjoyed joking, visiting, and playing cards. He was an avid naturalist and could identify all manner of fauna and flora. A natural woodworker, Harold carved scores of figures depicting rural life scenes, religious scenes and dozens of waterfowl and other animals. Harold and Lucille celebrated their union of 60 years with gatherings of family and friends this past summer. Harold was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. Harold's commitment to his friends, family, and his Lord served as an inspiration and example to all who knew him. He will be deeply missed.

Harold William Keepler died Thursday, December 23, 1999 in Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa after a long illness which he gallantly fought to the end. His sense of humor and dignity served him well throughout his life. He was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Rose Keppler; 4 brothers, Cletus Keppler, Leonard Keppler, John Keppler, and Ray Keppler; 3 sisters, Mary Burr, Clarinda Bushaw, and Bernice Bushaw; 2 granddaughters, Kristin Keppler and Amber Rose Laughead, and a great-grandson, Austin Lamphere.

Harold is survived by his wife, Lucille; his 11 children consisting of 5 daughters: Patricia (Robert) Schoulte of Farmersburg, Iowa, Grace (Jerry) Lamphere of Randalia, Iowa, Betty (Vaylord) Brooks, Caroline (Richard) Otdoerfer, and Theresa (Randall) Laughead, all of rural Strawberry Point, Iowa; 6 sons, David (Mary) Keppler and Duane (Barbara) Keppler, all of Arlington, Iowa, Frank (Iona) Keppler, Mike (Virginia) Keppler, and Joe Keppler, all of Strawberry Point, Iowa, and Tony (Gerarda) Keppler of Epworth, Iowa; 4 brothers, Irvin Keppler of Arlington, Iowa, Jerome Keppler and James Keppler, both of Manchester, Iowa, and Rev. Daniel Keppler of Monona, Iowa; 60 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.