Vern G. Koppelman

Vern Koppelman, 79, Fargo, ND, was called to eternal rest in the courts of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, June 16, 2022.

Vern Gilbert Koppelman was born October 11, 1942, in Breckenridge, MN, to Gilbert and Elfrieda (Schradieck) Koppelman. He grew up in Wahpeton, ND, with his parents and younger brother. He attended elementary, high school, and jr. college in Wahpeton before going on to the University of North Dakota, where he earned his bachelors degree in marketing. He then landed a job with Hallmark Cards Inc.

On July 16, 1967, Vern was united in holy matrimony to Cleo Reichmann of Villard, MN. They first made their home in Pelican Rapids, MN. Vern’s employment as a sales representative with Hallmark Cards took the couple to Marshall, MN, and then to Moorhead, MN.

In 1965, Vern joined the Army National Guard, where he was trained as a combat engineer. In 1966-70 he battled with ulcerative colitis, which led to his discharge from the National Guard in 1968.

In their free time, Vern and Cleo enjoyed showing Scottish Terriers and being involved with conservative politics. Vern also enjoyed playing the stock market and giving investment advice to anyone who would listen. He enjoyed collecting stamps and trains, and listening to Rock and Roll and watching satellite TV until all hours of the night. He loved cars especially Cadillacs, preferably white ones.

Vern eventually decided to break free from the corporate jungle of Hallmark in order to start his own wholesale card and gift business. This endeavor even led him to open a card and gift shop in Dawson, MN in 1994.

In 1980, Vern and Cleo adopted a two-month old baby girl whom they named Katie Audrey. One of their greatest joys was watching Katie grow into the woman she is now.
Vern valued faith, family, and freedom above all else. He was stubbornly independent even to his last day.

Vern is survived by his daughter, Katie of Moorhead, MN; brother, Marlo of Fargo, ND; 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 Lutterman, and Ginene (David) Theisen, and many great nephews and great nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Elfrieda; wife, Cleo; sisters-in-law, Joyce Tix and Audrey Peper; and brother-in-law, Richard Reichmann.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 15, 2022, at 1:00 pm with a visitation one hour before the service at Gift of God Lutheran Church, Mapleton, ND.

A livestream of the service will be available here on Vern’s page.