1925
Evelyn
2015
Evelyn Kopel
September 29, 1925 — February 23, 2015
Funeral services for Evelyn Kopel of Donnelly, MN will be held Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at Assumption Catholic Church in Morris, with Father Todd Schneider officiating. Visitation will be held Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris and for one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. Burial will be in St. Theresia's Catholic Cemetery in Donnelly.
Evelyn Violet Matejka Kopel, daughter of Loddie and Lena Matejka, was born on September 29, 1925 on Moose Island (between Donnelly and Herman). She was the sixth of 13 children. She attended Country School District #64 until the 4th grade, when the family moved to a farm north of Donnelly. She graduated from Alberta High School in 1944. Evelyn met Joseph Kopel and they were united in marriage on April 20, 1948. To this union five children were born.
When Evelyn was younger she was busy raising a family and helping run a farm. After retirement, she and Joe were able to travel and after Joe's death, she continued to enjoy traveling on many mother/daughter adventures. She also was able to spend time perfecting her sewing, crafting and cooking, as well as volunteering at The Salvation Army.
Evelyn's family was her greatest love and brought her so much joy. After twenty years she still loved and missed Joe. They had a very special and loving bond. Evelyn's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren filled her life with love and joy. She was always ready to have a tea party, make caramel rolls and macaroni salad or play a game. Evelyn was a very special lady with a quick smile, sense of humor and always a jokester. She always had a joke or funny story to tell. She made everyone around her smile and laugh. Evelyn's idea of a perfect day was a big picnic with family and friends and ending with a card game. She would always say "just one more game". Hopefully she is in heaven playing "one more game" with Joe!
Evelyn died on Monday, February 23, 2015 at Cottagewood Senior Communities in Mankato, Minnesota. She lived to reach 89 years.
She is survived by two sons: Thomas (Cathy) Kopel of Sullivan, IL and Robert (Kathy) Kopel of Donnelly; three daughters: Wanda (Steve) Rentz of Mankato, Barbara (Frank) Staebler of Leonardtown, MD and Peggy (Doug) Kill of Morris; four brothers: Clarence Matejka of Richville, Glenn (Doris) Matejka of Brandon, Vernon (Alice) Matejka of Frederic, WI and Wayne (Dee) Matejka of Sarasota, FL; five sisters: Luella (Edward) Kopel of Donnelly, Bernice Winter of Alexandria, Jeanette Mickleson of Starbuck, Betty Pemble of Richfield and Winnie Perl of San Diego, CA; 14 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Joe on November 25, 1994; her parents; one brother: Roy; two sisters: Lillian Pariseau and Bonnie Robinson and one great-granddaughter: McKinley Blume.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials to the Stevens County Salvation Army. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
Evelyn Violet Matejka Kopel, daughter of Loddie and Lena Matejka, was born on September 29, 1925 on Moose Island (between Donnelly and Herman). She was the sixth of 13 children. She attended Country School District #64 until the 4th grade, when the family moved to a farm north of Donnelly. She graduated from Alberta High School in 1944. Evelyn met Joseph Kopel and they were united in marriage on April 20, 1948. To this union five children were born.
When Evelyn was younger she was busy raising a family and helping run a farm. After retirement, she and Joe were able to travel and after Joe's death, she continued to enjoy traveling on many mother/daughter adventures. She also was able to spend time perfecting her sewing, crafting and cooking, as well as volunteering at The Salvation Army.
Evelyn's family was her greatest love and brought her so much joy. After twenty years she still loved and missed Joe. They had a very special and loving bond. Evelyn's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren filled her life with love and joy. She was always ready to have a tea party, make caramel rolls and macaroni salad or play a game. Evelyn was a very special lady with a quick smile, sense of humor and always a jokester. She always had a joke or funny story to tell. She made everyone around her smile and laugh. Evelyn's idea of a perfect day was a big picnic with family and friends and ending with a card game. She would always say "just one more game". Hopefully she is in heaven playing "one more game" with Joe!
Evelyn died on Monday, February 23, 2015 at Cottagewood Senior Communities in Mankato, Minnesota. She lived to reach 89 years.
She is survived by two sons: Thomas (Cathy) Kopel of Sullivan, IL and Robert (Kathy) Kopel of Donnelly; three daughters: Wanda (Steve) Rentz of Mankato, Barbara (Frank) Staebler of Leonardtown, MD and Peggy (Doug) Kill of Morris; four brothers: Clarence Matejka of Richville, Glenn (Doris) Matejka of Brandon, Vernon (Alice) Matejka of Frederic, WI and Wayne (Dee) Matejka of Sarasota, FL; five sisters: Luella (Edward) Kopel of Donnelly, Bernice Winter of Alexandria, Jeanette Mickleson of Starbuck, Betty Pemble of Richfield and Winnie Perl of San Diego, CA; 14 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Joe on November 25, 1994; her parents; one brother: Roy; two sisters: Lillian Pariseau and Bonnie Robinson and one great-granddaughter: McKinley Blume.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials to the Stevens County Salvation Army. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
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