Loren V Groepper

KINGSLEY, IOWA: Loren Groepper, 85, of Kingsley, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Sunday, January 29, 2012 at Bavarian Meadows Assisted Living in Remsen, Iowa. Funeral services will be held Friday, February 3, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Kingsley, Iowa, with Reverend Duane Miesner officiating followed with burial at Kingsley Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 3, 2012 at First Lutheran Church. Family will be present from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m.. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Rohde Funeral Home in Kingsley, Iowa. Loren was born July 21, 1926, Remsen, Iowa, the son of Adolph and Katie (Rochau) Groepper. Loren attended country school through the eighth grade. He then began his 64 years of farming in Marcus, Remsen and the Kingsley areas. On December 31, 1946, he was married to Verna Vehe at Christ Lutheran Church in Remsen, Iowa. Verna passed away on December 22, 2009. Loren and Verna made their home in rural Kingsley since the spring of 1970. During the early 1970"s, he worked for Switzer - Beeson at the Sioux City stockyards for several years. He was a member of First Lutheran Church of Kingsley. Loren enjoyed farming, raising livestock, playing cards and most of all spending time with family. Survivors include two sons, Gary (Shyla) Groepper and David (Darcy) Groepper both of Kingsley; three daughters, Donna (Dennis) Hoss of Yankton, SD, Dianne (Shelton) Mack of Mitchell, SD, and Patty Berkenpas and special friend Tim Koopman of LeMars; grandchildren Jan (Chad) Pickner of Sioux City, Carin (Brian) Huber, Yankton, SD, Wendi Henglefelt of Mitchell, SD, Justin Mack and fiance Ashley Vetch of Mitchell, SD, Mark Groepper of Omaha, NE, Brett and Danielle Groepper both of Kingsley, Denae (Matt) Erickson of Granger, IA, Abbie (Tim) Susie of Kingsley, Stephanie Groepper of Puyallup, WA, Craig Berkenpas and special friend Trista Ludwig and Mike (Becky) Berkenpas of LeMars; great-grandchildren Alex Slagle and Sam Huber both of Yankton, SD, Madelynn Henglefelt of Mitchell, SD, Clarissa Groepper of Puyallup.WA, Dax and Piper Erickson of Granger, IA, Kaden and Karson Ludwig, and Gunnar Berkenpas of LeMars; step-great grandchildren, Chase Huber of Yankton,SD, Brayden Paskert, Kennedy and Kole Ludwig all of LeMars. Also surviving is his sister, Alice Shanahan of Dakota City, Nebraska and three sisters-in-law, Kathleen Groepper, Esther Groepper and Velma Payne, and many nieces and nephews. Loren was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Verna, son, Steven Groepper (6-27-71), a grandson, Spc. Chad Groepper (2-17-08); a son-in-law, Doug Berkenpas (12-20-04); a great-granddaughter Claire Pickner (6-17-06); four sisters, Viola Berding, Mable Groepper, Lillie Nestor and Edna Dunne, six brothers, Ernest, Harry, Walter, Clarence, Alvin and Kenneth Groepper. Also three sisters-in-law, Alta Derocher, Dorothy Cote and Mary Trometer and a brother-in-law, Ervin Vehe