Lavonne Koepp

LaVonne Margaret (nee Stender) Koepp, Age 81 of Belle Plaine, passed away peacefully on September 29, 2018 with her husband by her side at St. Francis Hospital in Shakopee. LaVonne's funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 3 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine, with Pastor Mark Johnson officiating. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday at the Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine, and will continue one hour prior to service time at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Belle Plaine. LaVonne was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, godmother and friend. She was born on Friday, January 24, 1937 to Albert and Rosella (Nellen) Stender. She grew up in Bongards, Minnesota where she spent most of her time outside working on the family farm. She graduated from Central High School in Norwood Young America, MN. She was a lifelong member of St. John's United Church of Christ in Bongards. On September 8, 1954 LaVonne met the love of her life, Wesley Koepp. On December 21, 1956 Wesley asked for LaVonne's hand in marriage, and two years later, on April 12, 1958, Wesley and LaVonne became husband and wife. The newly married couple bought a home in Belle Plaine, where they were blessed with two children, Wendy and Scott. LaVonne's top priority in life was her family. She spent most of her time driving school bus for Stier Busing and watching her six grandchildren grow. On the weekends she spent her time traveling with the Wes Koepp Repair pulling team and watching her son, Scott and son-in-law, Ken with their two pulling trucks, Black Stud and Bear Town Shaker. LaVonne and Wesley enjoyed taking bus tours across the United States with their dear friends experiencing many new and different adventures along the way. She was blessed with six grandchildren and later gifted with eight great-grandchildren. LaVonne is survived by her husband of 60 years, Wesley Koepp; children, Wendy (Ken) Theis, and Scott (Kim) Koepp; grandchildren, Tony (Elisa) Theis, Todd (Sarah) Theis, Alissa (Josh) Henning, Tyler Koepp (fiancée, Katie Yarger), Kelsey Koepp (significant other, Derek Hagene), and Kalli Koepp; great-grandchildren, (Tony's): Leah and Trever Theis, (Todd's): Katelyn, Madison, and Gavin Theis, (Alissa's): Josalyn and Ezden Henning, and (Tyler's): Wesley Koepp; sisters, Darlene Burandt and Carolee Wruck; brother, Jon (Roxanne) Stender; extended relatives, Mary Koepp, Earl (Lorraine) Koepp, Alverna Laabs, Armin Sr. (Irene) Koepp, Sana Rose (Ron) Krenik, Lynette Koepp, Bill Koepp, and Janel Schmidt; close friend, Harriet Plekkenpol; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Greeting her in heaven will be her parents, Albert & Rosella Stender; father and mother-in-law, Clarence & Ann Koepp and Rosella Koepp; extended family, Leroy Burandt, Donald Wruck, Fredrick Koepp, Gerald Laabs, Norman & Marilyn Koepp and Carl Plekkenpol; and brother-in-law, Rodney Koepp.