Aloysius "Al" N. Neppl, 1920-2008

NEPPL, THELEN, PETZEL, SIEDEL, IANNARELLI, BURGESS, WELLS, VORTHERMS, WHITE, THIEL, BUNDY, MYERS

Posted By: Mary Ellen SIcard (email)
Date: 1/2/2012 at 18:36:34

Aloysius Nickolas Neppl, the son of Edward and Julia (Thelen) Neppl, was born December 6, 1920, in Breda, Iowa. He passed away Thursday, March 6, 2008, at Rosewood Manor in Estherville, Iowa, at the age of 87 years.

Al received his education in the Gruver schools and graduated from Gruver High School in 1938. He served in the United States Merchant Marines during World War II. While serving in the military Al met Catherine Petzel, who was serving in the United States Coast Guard and on October 23, 1945, they were united in marriage in San Francisco, California. Following their honorable discharge from military service, the couple made their home in Gruver for a short time. While living in Gruver, in his free time, Al coached the baseball team. In 1949, they moved to a farm north of Estherville, known over the years as "Neppl's Hill," where they farmed and raised their family. Besides farming, Al also was employed at John Morrell and Company, beginning in the 1950's when it opened. A highlight in Al's life was coaching the Emmet Consolidated School's Basketball Team to a State Class B Championship in 1951. When Al and Kay retired in 1984, after completing the monumental task of raising their huge family, they began traveling throughout the United States and even had the opportunity to travel overseas to Scotland. During their retirement years, besides traveling, the couple also enjoyed going dancing. In his leisure time, Al was also known for his love of trapping and fishing. Even though due to failing health and becoming a resident of Rosewood Manor in 2000, Al never complained. He always remained upbeat and jovial and was known at Rosewood for either telling a good joke or listening to one. Al especially enjoyed spending time with his family.

Al was a lifetime member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. He was also a lifetime member of Estherville VFW Post 3388. In addition Al belonged to many trapping and fishing associations. Dating back to his military service, Al was a member of the Gallup Radioman's Club and he enjoyed attending their reunions.

Left to cherish Al's memory are his wife of 62 years, Catherine "Kay" of Estherville; fourteen children, Karen Siedel and her husband, Dave of Rockledge, Florida; Thomas Neppl and his wife, Mary of Lee Summit, Missouri; Craig Neppl and his wife, Linda of Estherville; Nancy Iannarelli and her husband, Frank of Sturgis, Michigan; Murray Neppl and his wife, Barb of Crivitz, Wisconsin; Barbara Burgess and her husband, Don of Goodyear, Arizona; Lewis Neppl of Woodward, Iowa; Shirley Wells and her husband, Doug of Grand Junction, Colorado; Jodie Vortherms and Bob McClain of Fulda, Minnesota; Gary Neppl and his wife, Jeanie of Dewitt, Arkansas; Desiree White and Robert Harrison of Roanoke, Virginia; John Neppl of Davenport, Iowa; William Neppl and his wife, Brenda of Milton, Kansas; Amy Neppl of Roanoke; twenty-nine grandchildren, Dave Jr., Troy, Jeff, Thomas, Tammie, Travis, Brent, Stephanie, Derek, Curtis, Tracie, Todd, Michael, Mandy, Steven, Chad, Dillon, Daniel, Dustin, Lisa, Jake, Brittany, Angie, Brian, Becky, Catherine, Stevie, Ashley, Nicholas; twenty-six great-grandchildren; and sisters, Marie Thiel and her husband, Kenny; Margaret Bundy; Norma Myers and her husband, John; brother, Edward Neppl; and sister-in-law, Jean Neppl.

Preceding Al in death were, an infant daughter, Mary; his parents; an infant brother; and brother, Laverdas (Shorty) Neppl.
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