Cleo A. Koppelman

Cleo Koppelman, 72, Moorhead, MN, was called to the courts of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, August 13, 2017.

Cleo Avis Reichmann was born December 17, 1944, in Alexandria, MN to Henry and Mavis Benner Reichmann. She grew up on a farm with her parents and three older siblings. She attended elementary and high school in Villard, MN, culminating with her being named valedictorian in 1962. She graduated from Concordia College, Moorhead, in 1966 with a bachelor’s degree in home economics. Her first teaching assignment was in Westby, WI.

On July 16, 1967, Cleo was united in holy matrimony to Vern Koppelman of Wahpeton, ND. They first made their home in Pelican Rapids, MN, where Cleo landed a teaching position. Vern’s employment as a marketing representative with Hallmark Cards took them to Marshall, MN, and then to Moorhead, MN. During their 50-year marriage, they were partners in all endeavors, from their many driving vacations across the USA, to showing Scottish Terriers, to their involvement with conservative/libertarian politics, to leaving the corporate jungle of Hallmark and starting their own card and gift wholesale business.

Cleo was a very strong woman with a boundless compassion for others, but what she loved most was teaching about Jesus Christ the Savior to the children at Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. Other favorite activities included being involved with the Parent-Teacher Association when their daughter, Katie, was in elementary school, playing bridge or other card games, crossword puzzles, cooking, baking, gardening, and watching Bison football.
In 1980, Vern and Cleo adopted a two-month-old baby girl whom they named Katie Audrey, and who was a source of great joy in their lives.

Cleo is survived by her husband, Vern, and daughter, Katie, both of Moorhead, MN; brothers-in-law, Marlo Koppelman, Fargo, ND, and DeWayne Peper, Glenwood, MN; sister-in-law, Bonnie Reichmann, Villard, MN; nephews, Darrel Kim Tix, Jerry Diane Peper, George Tix, Jeff Peper, Mike April Reichmann, Daniel Heidi Tix, and Wade Reichmann; nieces, LuAnn Auren, Jody Peper, Wendy Larry Gaffaney, Cindy John Lutterman, and Ginene David Theisen, and many great nephews and great nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Mavis; sisters, Joyce Tix and Audrey Peper, and her brother, Richard.

Visitation: Friday, August 25, 2017, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.

Memorial Service: Saturday, August 26, 2017, at 1:00 PM in Gift of God Lutheran Church, Mapleton, ND.

Interment: Fairview Memorial Gardens, Wahpeton, ND.