Dora Jopke

Dora Jopke, 103, of Merrill, passed away Friday, January 8, 2010, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice at Bell Tower Residence. She was born April 3, 1906 in Duel County , South Dakota , to the late Otto and Mary (Ahartz) Frantz. She married Kurt Jopke August 15, 1925 in Merrill. He preceded her in death on October 12, 1993.

Dora moved to Merrill in 1924. She worked as a seamstress at the apron factory in Merrill and later at the toothpick factory in Merrill. After she married Kurt Jopke, she became a full time mother and home maker. Dora was a partner along with her husband in L.A. Jopke & Sons hide business. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Mission Circle and also did quilting for the church. Dora was a charter member of the Association of Retarded Citizens in Merrill. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing, gardening and babysitting her grandchildren.

Survivors include 4 children: Joyce (Jack) Wendt, Mary Summers, all of Merrill, Jane (Rich) Cooper, Waterford, MI and Kurt (Yvonne) Jopke, Hibbing MN; 23 grandchildren: Jerry (Rita) Wendt, Joel (Sue) Wendt, Jim (Cathy) Wendt, Jan (Bill Hoefhlin) Halverson, Jill (Mike) LaBarbera, Jeannie (Joe Geimza) Brown, Julie (Don) Gehrmann, Jenny (Brian) McHenry, JoLee Wendt, Sarah (Doug) Williams, Tess (Scott) Klug, Missy (Paul) Waid, Bill (Valinda) Summers, Beth (Brad) Smith, Barb Wiley, Tim(Michelle) Marth, Vicar Tom (Bobbi Sue) Marth, Becky (Bob) Thomas, Rev. Peter (Laura) Marth, Jim (Theresa) Mugge, Troy Mugge, Derek (Dani) Mugge, and Nicole (Shane) Koppenhaver: 60 great grandchildren and 11 great - great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Kurt, 11 brothers and sisters and 2 sons-in-law: Rev. Wallace Marth and Laverne “Chuck” Summers.

Services will be held Friday, January 15, 2010 at 10:30 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church . Visitation will be Thursday, January 14 from 4 – 8 PM at Waid Funeral Home and again from 9:30 – 10:30 AM before the service at church. The Rev. Brian Stolarczyk will officiate. Burial will follow at Merrill Memorial Park . The family has requested memorials be given to Trinity Lutheran Church and School, Bell Tower Residence or Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Service. Waid Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.