Ethel Lanora Kopkie, 92 years young, was ushered into heaven on Wednesday, March 28, 2018, at the Green Pine Acres Nursing Home, Menahga, Minn.
Ethel was born Aug. 30, 1925, in Tolstoy, S.D., to Norman and Marie Hosterman.
She was the first born of her siblings — Marian Witt, Gerald Hosterman and Norma (Oscar) Maus.
She graduated from Baudette High School.
Her first employment after high school was at the Spooner Creamery in East Baudette, Minn.
She was united in marriage to Richard “Bud” Kopkie on July 21, 1946, at the Birchdale parsonage in Birchdale, Minn.
Richard and Ethel were blessed with five children — Douglas Kopkie, Tucson, Ariz., Judith (Mike) Mosley, Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada, Steve (Bev) Kopkie, Park Rapids, Minn., Dwayne Kopkie, International Falls, and Dwight Kopkie, Tucson.
Ethel had seven grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Ethel spent most of her married life in International Falls.
She was a lifelong member of the Evangelical Covenant Church in International Falls. She served in the Sunday School office for many, many years and was involved with Mission Circle and numerous bible studies.
She was known for her very generous and giving heart.
Ethel dealt with many adversities and hardships in life but always rose above the circumstances with her strong faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and continued on with His strength and grace.
She was a strong woman and a wonderful testimony to all who knew her.
She worked at Ric-Jig Tackle in Ranier, Minn., in the shipping department for 20 years.
In her retirement years, she and her husband attended many craft fairs in northern Minnesota where they sold the many rugs, place mats and embroidered dish towels that they made.
The last 3 ½ years of her life, Ethel lived with her son Steve (Bev) in Park Rapids and also spent six-eight weeks of the winter months with her son Douglas in Tucson.
Ethel was preceded in death by her husband, Richard “Bud”Kopkie in 2009; her daughter-in-law, Mary Kopkie; her sons, Dwayne and Dwight; as well as her parents.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 3, at Evangelical Covenant Church, International Falls, with Pastor Ed Natysin officiating.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.
Interment will be at Clementson Community Cemetery, Clementson, Minn., at a later date.
Condolences may be sent to www.ceasefuneralhome.com.
Cease Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
