Wilma Lotter Koeppen, 88, formerly of LaPorte, went Home to be with the Lord on Jan. 13, 2017, at Burbank Parke Care Center in Burbank, OH. As her health declined, she moved to the center to be closer to family.
She was born Oct. 13, 1928, in Fort Wayne, IN, to Ernest and Una (Caulk) Lotter, later moving to Walkerton, IN, then to Mill Creek, IN.
Wilma graduated from Rolling Prairie High School. She met her husband while working as a telephone operator for General Telephone. She loved being a member of Evergreen Baptist Church in Michigan City, IN. Wilma had the gift of hospitality, opening her home to family friends, and missionaries to share their stories at her kitchen table. In her three years at Burbank Parke Care Center, she was lovingly cared for and known by her smile and throwing kisses.
On Sept. 11, 1949, she was united in marriage to William H. Koeppen, who preceded her in death in 1999 after 50 years of marriage.
She was also preceded in death by her parents; son, Scott; brothers, Lee, Coy and Harold Lotter; and sisters, Norma Jean Tarnow and Thelma Fritzen.
Surviving are her daughter, Daryl Sowers (William) of Wooster, OH; son, Stephen Koeppen (Linda) of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren, Krista Fitzsimmons (Richard) of Wooster, OH, and Kari Krabill (John) of Loudonville, OH; great-granddaughters, Kaley and Morgan Fitzsimmons; sister-in-law, Elsie; special friend and caregiver, Clydia Arroyo; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, LaPorte, with Pastor Jon Rumley officiating. A graveside service will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, Mill Creek. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be directed to Evergreen Baptist Church, 2005 E. Coolspring Ave., Michigan City, IN 46360; or Gideon International, Memorial Bible Chairman, P.O. Box 766, Winona Lake, IN 46590-0766.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP as well as at www.cutlerfuneralhome.com.