BERTHA KOEPKE

Bertha L. Koepke, age 94, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 24, 2022, at Rosalia Gardens in Antigo, WI. She was born August 11, 1928, in Stanley, WI, daughter of the late William and Mathilda (Holey) Tornow. 

Bertha was a graduate of Neenah High School. She married Gerald Koepke on November 1, 1947 and together they raised four children. They were married nearly 60 years before Geralds passing in August of 2007.  She had been employed with several local Credit Unions retiring from Menasha Employee's Credit Union in 1988. Bertha had been a lifelong resident of Neenah before moving to Antigo to be cared for by her daughter Karn.

Bertha was an accomplished seamstress and knitter. She also enjoyed craftwork and getting together with a small circle of friends, to exchange talents for creating projects, which sometimes were donated to charities of various churches. She also enjoyed creating family dinners with a “pinch of this and a dash of that”.  Bertha was a life-long member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Neenah and was involved with their bible study and played in their bell choir.

Survivors include daughters: Karn Gollnick, Ann (Tom) Verstegen, son Gary (Nancy) Koepke; ten grandchildren: Shane (Diane) Gollnick, Kimberly (Clint) Nicholson, Kristin Rickert (special friend Pat Jankowski), Alysa Koepke (special friend Greg Danowski), Adam (Annette) Koepke, Andrew (Celia) Novak, Jenni (Conrad) Cadman, Tracey Glaser (special friend Robin Bell, Leeland Verstegen, Lucas Verstegen and 16 great-grandchildren.

Bertha was preceded in death by her parents, husband Gerald, daughter Sandra and brothers Harold, Robert, Louis and their spouses.

A private service was held for the family.

Our family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Rosalia Gardens of Antigo for all the loving care and kindness they gave to our mother.