Eunice A. Koepke

Eunice Anita Koepke, age 88, of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, went to meet her Lord and Savior on Friday, April 22, 2022. Eunice was born in Ambur India, to Lutheran missionaries Martin and Gladys Kretzmann. She attended school in Kodaikanal and lived in India until she came to the States for college at the age of 19. She attended Valparaiso University and then went on to obtain her Bachelor of Science and nursing degree with a minor in music from Wagner College in New York City. Eunice was a dedicated Registered Nurse and always had a heart for helping others. She was married to her college sweetheart, Gerald Koepke, on September 22, 1956, and were together for all 66 years. They had five children: Denise, Timothy, Ruth, David, and Susan.

Eunice is survived by her husband Gerald (Jerry) Koepke, her daughters Denise (Kevin) Knuth, Ruth and Susan and her sons Tim (Amy) and David, her grandchildren Samantha (Andrew) Mans and Emily (Matthew) Doty, Devyn and Jayden Koepke, and her great grandchildren Reagan and Jaxton Mans and Marley Koepke. She is predeceased by her brother Otto (died at age 6 in India) and her parents Martin and Gladys Kretzmann.

Eunice was a major guide in her children’s life and a faithful and loving wife to her husband Jerry. She loved to watch the birds and knit and crochet and created beautiful stitchery projects that each of the children and grandchildren have received and treasure. Eunice’s passion for many years was the Third World Handcraft Shoppe (TWHS) She was the major founder and she and Jerry opened it out of and with the help of Capitol Drive Lutheran Church. TWHS helped support artisans from third world countries and provide them with a means of living by the wares and crafts that she sold in this shoppe. She loved her summers at “the cottage” in Eagle River Wisconsin every year and was the main caregiver for the last 5 remaining years to her mother Gladys who lived to be 103 years old. Over the last 5 years, Eunice valued every day with her three daughters who cared for her (and Jerry) until they moved to Shorehaven in October of 2021. Even though she struggled with food allergies, she had a good appetite and always loved to cook for the family or go out and eat at restaurants. She enjoyed video chatting through their “portal” with her two sons and grandchildren (Samantha is living currently in Germany) and watching the antics of her great-grandchildren. She loved her church and her Lord and participated in the Senior’s weekly Bible studies and daily devotions with Jerry.

The memorial service will be held on Monday, May 9 at Divine Redeemer Lutheran church in Hartland, Wisconsin at 1:00 PM with visitation from 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM. In leu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be given to Divine Redeemer Lutheran Church.