Vera Lorraine Heupel

Vera Lorraine Heupel, 83, from Medina, North Dakota passed away peacefully and surrounded by her children, Thursday, January 8th at Freedom Pointe Assisted Living in Minnetonka, Minnesota where she resided for the last four years.

Vera was born on the Hofmann family farm 6 miles NW of Medina on August 30, 1925. She was the second child of Jacob and Mathidla (Mueller) Hofmann. She attended Peterson Township rural school through the 8th grade and remained on the family farm.

She married Elmer Charles Heupel of Medina on November 11, 1945 and they farmed North of Medina until they retired from farming in 1987.

In 1967, Vera completed her GED and entered Valley City State Teachers College. She graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1971 with an education degree. She taught 1 year in Gackle before returning to Medina, where she taught for 11 years and was the school principal for 3 years.

Vera was active and held leadership positions in many organizations including Child Evangelism, Good News Club, Women?s Aglow, the Sunshine Homemakers Club, and the Evangelical United Brethren (United Methodist) Church. She taught Sunday School and was Church Choir Director, pianist, and organist. She was an EMT volunteer for the Medina Ambulance Service, and also taught First Aid and CPR. She later became a member of the Medina Baptist Church.

Vera is survived by her six children, Sharon (Ron) Ketterling, Coon Rapids, MN; Gene (Karene) Heupel, Maple Grove, MN; Rick (Mavis) Heupel, Minnetonka, MN; Lynda (Danie) Packard, Thief River Falls, MN; Julayne (Arthur) Hill, Eden Prairie, MN; and Deborah Heupel, Coon Rapids, MN; 18 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, sister Arlene (Alvin) Schlecht, Medina; brothers Albert (Margaret) Hofmann, Medina; Wilbert (Nyra) Hofmann, Medina; Donald (Lillian) Hofmann, Medina; Ervin (Jewel) Hofmann, Glendale AZ; Edwin (Bari) Hofmann, Hemet, CA; Eugene (Jackie) Hofmann, Renton, WA.

Vera is preceded in death by husband Elmer, parents Jacob and Mathilda, and brothers Raymond and Richard.

Funeral Service: 11:00 am, Tuesday, January 13, 2009, at the United Methodist Church in Medina with Pastor Randy Jaspers officiating.

Prayer Service: 7:00 pm, Monday, January 12, 2009 at the Eddy Funeral Chapel, Jamestown, North Dakota

Visitation: 1:00 to 7:00 pm, Monday, January 12, 2009 at the Eddy Funeral Home.

Burial: Medina Cemetery, Medina, North Dakota.