Iola “Ole” was born to William and Anna Koeppe on September 16th, 1929, on the family farm in New Effington, South Dakota, where she was raised. She attended Minnesota Township Country School #1 in Roberts County, SD and graduated from New Effington High School in 1947. After graduation she taught school (grades 1 through 8) at Lien Township Country School #4 for a year, before moving to Minneapolis, MN where she worked as a seamstress at Kickerknicks and Munsingwear.
It was in Minneapolis she met the love of her life, Kenneth Wick “Kenny”, and they were married on February 14, 1953. To this union four children were born, Carol, Randy, Sandra and Mark and she became stepmom to Janie and Dennis. She spent the next several years as a devoted homemaker and after the children were all in school, she began her career of 22 years as a cook with School District #11 in Coon Rapids and retired in 1989. She and Kenny then enjoyed time at their cabin on Mill Lake in the Alexandria area of MN, while mixing in some travel to various locations across America.
Iola loved to cook and especially bake for her family, friends, church activities and any other occasion where food was needed. She was known for her amazing cookies, bars and her famous “Turkey Scrabble”, a family and friend favorite, and recipe she made for thousands of school kids during her career. She also loved to knit, and made many afghans, including one for each of her 16 Grandchildren. She was a very involved Grandmother and attended 100’s of baseball and hockey games, school programs, plays and recitals. At the age of 94 she was still selecting special birthday and Christmas gifts for each of her great and great-great grandchildren and, always thinking of others, never missed an anniversary.
Iola was also involved with her church, helping with a variety of tasks, including working events, quilting, preparing the bulletins, and volunteering at Mercy Hospital and Camilia Rose Assisted Living.
Iola was preceded in death by her parents, William and Anna Koeppe; husband, Kenneth; brother, Allan Koeppe; sister, Ioane Goodman; stepson, Dennis Wick; sons-in-law, Richard Thelen and Neal Bartholomew; granddaughters, Lori Thelen and Jessica (Thelen) & Keith Wilcenski.
Iola is survived by her stepdaughter, Janie and husband, Dan Janzen; stepdaughter-in-law, Sherry Wick; daughter, Carol Bartholomew; son, Randy and wife, Sandra; daughter, Sandra and husband, Steve Stano; son, Mark and wife, Denise; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and dear friend, Adele Hickerson and her family.
A memorial service to celebrate Iola's life will be held on June 11, 2025 at Faith Lutheran Church in Coon Rapids. Visitation begins at 10 am, with service at 11 am, and luncheon to follow. Private inurnment will take place at Morningside Memorial Gardens.
Our hearts are heavy with the loss of our mother Iola, but we find comfort in knowing that after 31 years of missing our father Kenneth, they were reunited in heaven on their anniversary!
Rest in peace, dear Mother. You will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
