Our mother, Moselly Loewen Koepl was born to Jacob G. and Tina Reimer Loewen on February 11, 1923 at Atwater California. She fell peacefully asleep in her daughter’s home at Scio, Oregon while holding her daughter’s hand, going to her eternal reward on February 14th 2014, reaching the age of ninety one years, and three days. She was the fourth of nine siblings, with her parents she lived in various locations in the Winton California area, and she received her formal education at the Cressey School. She took on helping in the fields, and milking the cows by hand while her oldest brother was away in CPS camp during WWII. She also helped her father in the peach orchards, and with field work, first learning how to drive the horses, then later on, driving tractor as they cultivated fields, and local vineyards. She moved with her parent to Oregon in 1945, where she continued to help out on the family farm, also working in a laundry where she perfected her ability for pressing dress shirts, which she put to use when custom tailoring shirts in later years. She obtained her Licensed Practical Nursing certificate through the Chicago School of Nursing, and worked first at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eugene, before being hired by a private practice Pediatrician where she was trained also as a lab technician. In 1954 she met our father, Leonard Koepl, and they were married in Creswell Oregon on May 23rd, 1954. Four of their five children were born while living here in Oregon, and then in the fall of 1960 they moved to Northern California, and five years later their youngest was born. Changes came in 1969 when dad was forced to retire due to his vision; it was after this they considered the idea of moving to Brazil. They made the move in the fall of 1972, settling near the town of Rio Verde, in central Brazil. Here with her family she bravely took on the role of a pioneer, learning to understand a new language, cook new foods, and face new challenges. Mom made pioneering fun; she cooked the tastiest meals over a makeshift camp fire, always making sure there was enough for everyone, and strictly monitoring that she would always have all the correct food exchanges for those with special dietary needs. We all have wonderful memories of those years that introduced us to so many new experiences. Mom never really met a stranger; she was friends to all, because even strangers rarely left without a warm embrace. She was a person who loved unconditionally, had faith in her fellow man, and lived what she believed. She was a loving helpmeet to our father, always admired his powerful strength, loyalty, and sense of honor. She was very caring, continuously helping him with things he could no longer see to do. She always appreciated all the bouquets of wildflowers he so lovingly would pick for her. In the spring of 1992 mom and dad moved back here to Oregon, where some of their children had relocated. In November of 1996, after forty two years of marriage, dad suddenly passed away. This left mom very lonely, she spent many hours meticulously making quilts, crocheting, & knitting. She was always there for her family, and loved ones; we have many carefully stitched mementos of her love. In May of 2005 she suffered first a heart attack, then a massive stroke. After rehab, she came back home to be lovingly cared for by her daughter. She was always so thankful for each little thing, always complimenting, admiring, and loving. Every single night when being tucked into bed she’d gratefully express how much it all meant to her, every morning she’d wake with a smile, just happy to be part of your life. In October she suffered from aspiration pneumonia, which left her weakened, she became more tired, just wanted to let go. We are thankful she could remain at home, surrounded by those who loved her so dearly, and her pets that never left her side. Left to mourn is her children, Paul, & wife Shirley Koepl, Potlatch, Idaho, Freda Kramer (wife of the late Dennis Kramer) Louisville, Ohio, Lee Koepl, Lana Koepl, Connell Washington, Gene Koepl, Mary Koepl, Scio, Oregon, and Joan Koepl, Scio, Oregon, also fifteen grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. Mike McDougall, friend and caregiver, Ted Schroeder, of Greenville, North Carolina, who she loved as a son. Special niece Adeline, and husband John Toews who lovingly gave care and support. Brothers Jake and wife Betty Loewen, Rio Verde, Brazil, Ike and wife Rosalie Loewen, Oroville, California, sisters Selma Schmidt, and Rosella Eck, Livingston California, Salome, and husband Eugene Unruh, Moundridge, Kansas, Lois, and husband Ben Holdeman, Dumas Arkansas, Frances, and husband Duane Holdeman, Wrens, Georgia, Sister in law Edna, Mrs. Pete Loewen, Moundridge, Kansas, Mary Plueard, Genevieve Hall, and Opal Koepl, all of Springfield Oregon. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one brother, one son in law, eight brothers in law, and one grandchild. Services will be held Wednesday, February 19th at 10 O’clock at the Evergreen Mennonite church, Scio Oregon, internment will be at Miller Cemetery, Scio, Oregon.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Feb 2014 07:54:07 +0000
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