Eva C. Koepsel

Conni was born on September 17, 1931, and was a lifelong resident of the Zion/Waukegan/Beach Park area. She graduated from Zion Benton Township High School in 1949, attended Illinois University for music then returned home to marry the love of her life, William Koepsel, Sr. on October 6, 1951. They had 3 children and enjoyed 45 years of marriage before her husband's passing in 1996. Conni was a secretary and an executive secretary for several different individuals/organizations including the Tuberculosis Sanitarium in Waukegan, a private attorney and the superintendent of Waukegan Public Schools before and after having the children.

While she and Bill raised the children, she was always involved in the many and varied school activities such as being room mother, band sponsor, piano accompanist for instrument competitions and assisting with several theatrical productions, even directing a few school plays. Conni was extremely artistic, crafting many wedding/shower/party cakes as well as painting, needlepointing, quilling and any number of other types of art along with singing semi-professionally. She also held several roles with the Community Players productions. She was an avid fisherwoman, spending hours on the Waukegan Pier fishing for coho and salmon and providing her family and friends with smoked salmon on many occasions.

Connie was very strong in her faith, praising God right up until her death. She was a devoted lifetime member of the First Presbyterian Church in Waukegan. She participated in the church choir, founded and initially directed the Handbell Choir and needlepointed two of the chair backs for the disciple's chairs on the church altar.

Conni is survived by her three children - William (Maggie) Koepsel II, Heather (David) Powers and Scott (Alyssa) Koepsel and three grandchildren - William Koepsel III, Jessica (Troy) Diebel and Benjamin Koepsel as well as two nieces Martha Nance and Jane (Michael) Scimeca). Conni was preceded in death by her parents, Gordon and Mary Hunt, and her husband, William Koepsel, Sr.

A celebration of Conni's life will be held On Tuesday, July 21st at 3:00 p.m. at The First Presbyterian Church of Waukegan, 122 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Waukegan, IL