Melvin Koepke Services to be held Thursday Morning

Melvin Henry Koepke, 91, Blue Hill, Nebraska died Sunday, July 19, 2009 at the Blue Hill Care Center, Blue Hill, Nebraska. Services are Thursday, July 23, 2009, 11:00 A.M. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Blue Hill, NE, with Rev. Joshua Lowe officiating. Burial with military Rites by American Legion Shirley Post #176 of Blue Hill, Nebraska, will be in the Blue Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 21 from 5:00-9:00, Wednesday, July 22, 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. and one hour prior to services at the church. Memorials to Trinity Lutheran Church. Merten-Butler Mortuary of Blue Hill, Nebraska is in charge of arrangements. Melvin Koepke was born July 11, 1918 to Chris & Minnie (Kort) Koepke on a farm north of Blue Hill in Adams County. He attended Trinity Lutheran Parochial School through the eighth grade and graduated from Blue Hill High School in 1936. He worked on a farm in Iowa for a few years and then was drafted into the Army on June 9, 1941. He served with the First Infantry Regiment Company D in Hawaii, New Guinea & the Philippine Islands. He was a squad leader, Scout mortar gunner, & clerk typist. He was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre of Operations Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Ribbon, American Theatre of Operations Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, Victory Ribbon, Purple Heart & the Bronze Star. He worked for H. H. Bentz Implement Co. On June 22, 1952 he married Verna Mae Siebrass at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blue Hill. He then farmed & raised Landrace Hogs & Polled Hereford cattle until his retirement. Melvin enjoyed spending time with his wife of 57 years and his family & watching his grandchildren playing ball games. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards and bingo. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church & A. L. Shirley post # 146 both of Blue Hill, Nebraska. He is survived by his wife: Verna Mae , Blue Hill, his son Eldon, of Beloit, Kansas and his daughter Elgene (Mike) Grafel of Hastings. Grandchildren Brandi (Chris) Cadams, NE, Lakey Koepke, Lincoln, NE, Stacey Grafel, Omaha, Ryan and Joel Grafel of Hastings. Step grandchildren, Ben, Klozenbucher of Fremont, NE, Angie (Jason) Runge. Sister Elsie (Ernie) Rose of Loveland, Colorado. Special friend Tara Meyer “grandchild”, Many nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Dale, his sister and her husband Erna & Lowell Anderson and two infant sisters.