Lawrence E. W. Koepp

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Lawrence Emery Walter Koepp, 97, died Sunday, April 27, 2014 at Dells Nursing and Rehab Center, Dell Rapids, SD. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 AM Friday, May 2, 2014, at the Zion Lutheran Church, Garretson. Visitation with the family present will be from 5-7:00 PM Thursday, at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Garretson.

Lawrence was born on February 11, 1917 to Otto and Margaretha (Locke) Koepp in Sioux Falls, SD. He farmed with his parents until the age of 23 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Lawrence served with the Fifth Army, 34th Infantry Division, 109th Engineers until 1945 when he was honorably discharged. Lawrence received several campaign and service medals along with the Bronze Star for bravery during the 4 years he served in WWII. He also served a short time with the British Commandos in North Africa.

While home on leave in 1943, Lawrence met his partner for life, Ella Papendick. They married on October 9, 1945 and this year would have been their 69th anniversary.

Lawrence and Ella farmed near Garretson, SD, until 1974 when they retired. Lawrence loved woodworking; especially scroll sawing and he touched the lives of many people by sharing the art he created. He also liked traveling and spending time with his family. Lawrence and Ella were always up for a good game of pinochle that often ran late into the night or long into the afternoon. Lawrence could make or fix just about anything and loved tinkering to the end. He was a lifelong member of the American Legion, VFW, and Zion Lutheran Church.

Lawrence and Ella moved to Orchard Hills Independent Living in 2009. He moved to the Dells Nursing and Rehab Center in 2012. Survivors include his wife, Ella and three children: Vincent Koepp of St. Louis, Missouri; Ruby (Koepp) and her husband Steve Niklason of Bryant, SD; and JoAnn (Koepp) and her husband Alan Engelbrecht of Brandon, SD. Grandchildren include Trappor (Emilee) Masson; Amanda (Koepp) (Michael) Piesche; Haley Koepp; Jason (Whitnea) Engelbrecht; and Maggi (Engelbrecht) (Ian) Malloy. Great-grandchildren include Anna and Kayla Engelbrecht and Rosalee Masson. Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Leonard and Albert.