Elizabeth Louise (Gabel) KOPPERNAGEL LEPPER

KOPPERNAGEL, LEPPER, GABEL, LORENZ, GIOFREDDI, STEINWANDT, SHEPHERD, COOPER, CHRISTENSEN, NEEL, QUINN, TETER, FREDERICKSON, SWEDENHJELM, KELLOM

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/7/2007 at 00:24:46

July 22, 2003

Elizabeth (Betty) Louise Koppernagel Lepper, 84, of Belmond, died on Wednesday, July 16, 2003. Funeral services were held on Saturday, July 19, at the St. John Lutheran Church in Belmond, with John Meyer of First Lutheran of Britt, officiating. Pianist was Julie Quinn, organist was Maxine Whitty and soloist was Susan Toftey. Ushers were Henry Gerdes and Robert Kalkwarf. Casket bearers were Larry Cooper, John W. Neel, Kevin Koppernagel, and Andrew, William and Joseph Swedenhjelm.

Elizabeth (Betty) was born on November 5, 1918 at Belmond, the daughter of Fred and Marie (Lorenz) Gabel. She was baptized at St. John's Lutheran in 1918, was confirmed in 1933, and was a life time member of the church. She was very active in circle and women's activities. Betty attended country schools and the Alexander Consolidated School. One of her proudest accomplishments was receiving her G.E.D. Diploma through the continuing education program in 1988 at age 70. Betty worked as a clerk for 40 years in various variety stores in Belmond. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 59 years, was a volunteer taking calls for the Care Car, was a member of the Belmond Hospital Auxiliary, belonged to the Grandmothers' Club and Senior Citizens. She enjoyed sewing with the ALCW at the church, making quilts and lap robes, gardening, embroidery and making baby comforters and quilts for her family. Betty was married to Andrew Earl Koppernagel who died in 1957, and to Joseph J. Lepper who died in 1976. In 1993 she sold her home of 49 years and moved to the Gabrielson Apartments. In 1994 she moved to the Belmond Community Apartments, where she enjoyed the coffees and group activities.

Preceding her in death were her parents; two husbands; brothers, Fred and Alex Gabel; and sisters, Emma Giofreddi and Mary Steinwandt. Survivors include her children, Alice June (Richard) Christensen of Edwardsburg, Michigan, Sharon Marie (John) Neel of Chariton and Allen Earl (Linda) Koppernagel of Elkhart, Indiana; grandchildren, Julie (Eryn) Quinn of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Susan (Scott) Teter of Edwardsburg, Michigan, Dawn (Derek) Frederickson of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Mark Christensen of Bradenton, Florida, John W. (Shelby) Neel of Des Moines, Joni (Bill) Swedenhjelm of Norwalk, Timothy (Laurie) Neel of Tracy, California, Kathryn (Marc) Kellom of Granger, Indiana and Kevin Koppernagel of Elkhart, Indiana; sisters, Ann Shepherd of Pontiac, Michigan and Esther Cooper of Hampton; sister-in-law, Elsie Gabel of Mason City; and brother-in-law, Carl Steinwandt of San Lorenzo, California.

©Belmond Independent 2003