Roepke, Joan 1937-2021

ROEPKE, WULF

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 5/3/2021 at 18:36:44

Obituary

Le Mars, Iowa - Joan (Wulf) Roepke, 83, of Le Mars, Iowa passed away Saturday, April 10, 2021 at MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa surrounded by her family, due to complications from Covid. Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 16, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of Le Mars. Rev. Dr. Michel Okitakoyi Lundula will officiate. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memory Gardens in Le Mars. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, April 15, 2021 from 5-7 p.m. at the Mauer- Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 pm. Masks and social distancing per Covid protocol are requested.

Joan was born on December 27, 1937 at Floyd Valley Hospital in LeMars, the daughter of Edward and Alma Wulf. She graduated from Le Mars Community High School in 1956. During her senior year of high school, she accepted a secretarial apprenticeship at Wells Blue Bunny and continued employment at Wells until her first child Nancy was born in 1962. After her second child Steven started school in 1970, she went back to work at Calvary United Methodist Church (now UMCL) where she retired from her position as secretary after 23 years. Joan married Jim Roepke from Kingsley, Iowa on August 17, 1958.

Joan and Jim loved spending time at Lake Okoboji, Iowa during the summers for over 40 years. For more than 20 years they spent the winters in Austin and South Texas spending time with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jim and Joan had a passion for country music over their 62 years of marriage and met many stars including Johnny Cash on numerous occasions.

Survivors include her husband Jim of LeMars; daughter Nancy (Randy) Ellsworth of Buda, Texas; son, Steven of San Marcos, Texas; grandchildren Jamie, Jacqueline, Jennifer and 6 great grandchildren Emme, Eliana, Easton, Everett, Kase and Bode.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Norma (Harm) Lubben.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan’s memory may be made to the United Methodist Church of Le Mars building fund.