Roepke, Albert William

Albert William Roepke - Aurora

Albert William Roepke was born on July 16, 1924, to Gustav and Anna Mandalek Roepke on the family farm southwest of Aurora. Albert's siblings included Edward, Walter, Carl, Erna, Leonard, and Frank. All preceded him in death. He attended and graduated in 1941 from Stanley Consolidated Schools. He was an active lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Aurora. As a member he served in a leadership role in Sunday school, area Bible studies, church council, and other affiliated Lutheran boards.

Albert married LaVon Watson on Dec. 31, 1942, and they farmed together for 70-plus years. She preceded him in death on Sept. 13, 2012. To this union, six children were born: Michael (Leanna) Roepke from Lamont, Richard (Barbara) Roepke from Aurora, Kathy (Jim) Keasler from Iowa City, Marilyn (Allan) Braaten from Thermopolis, Wy., Ruth (Jim) Nelson from Clinton, and Betty (Bruce) Landis from Elkader.

The grandchildren are as follows: Joe (Amy) Roepke and Sarah (Beth) Roepke, Gretchen (Mike) Mosher, Joanne (Beany) Bode, David (Heidi) Roepke, Stephanie (Eric) Schares, Naomi (Andy) Werner, Sam (Morgan) Keasler, Matt Keasler, Chuck (Teri) Braaten, Rachel (Ryan) Cowger, Jacob Braaten, Kyle Braaten, Andrew Nelson, Peter Nelson, Tom Nelson, Adam Landis, Bridget Willfong, Elaine (Jeremy) Bossard, Claire Landis, Sophia Landis, and Evan Landis.

The great-grandchildren are as follows: Jesse, Brandon, and Tyler Braaten; Avery Mosher; Hollis, Violet, and Henry Bode; Gabrielle, Michael, Nicholas, and Olivia Willfong; Wyatt Roepke, and Rose Schares.

Albert was drafted on July 20, 1945, into the U.S. Army where he served in special services. On July 24, 1946, he was honorably discharged. On June 5, 2012, he was very pleased to be a part of the June 5, 2012, Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

Albert was a man surrounded by family, relatives, and friends who loved him and enjoyed his sense of humor and his zest for life.

Albert entered into his eternal rest at his farm home northeast of Aurora on Sunday, April 14, 2013.

Memorials will go to St. Paul's Lutheran Church and Ewalu.

Visitation will be on Friday, April 19, 2013, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Fawcett Funeral Home in Winthrop and after 9 a.m. Saturday at the church in Aurora.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 20, 2013, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Aurora with Pastor Ron Spears officiating and music provided by Rosalind Young. Interment will be at Union Cemetery north of Aurora. Military graveside services will be conducted by the Aurora American Legion.

To send an online condolence go to under obituaries.

Published April 17, 2013, in The Gazette