Clifford "Cliff" F. Koep

Clifford “Cliff” F. Koep, age 83, of Millerville, died suddenly on Monday, April 20, 2026, at Prairie Ridge Hospital in Elbow Lake.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, May 1, 2026, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Millerville with Fr. LeRoy Schik and Deacon Mick Froslee officiating. Military honors accorded by the Minnesota Honor Guard and the Inspiration Peak American Legion Post 527.

Visitation will begin with a 5 p.m. prayer service followed by visitation until 7 p.m., on Thursday, April 30th, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria. There will also be visitation on Friday one hour prior to the Mass at church.

Clifford Florian Koep was born on March 27, 1943, to Wendelin J. Sr. and Lorraine (Klimek) Koep on the family farm in Effington Township. He attended country school and later completed two years at Parochial School in Urbank. Following his education, Cliff worked on the family farm for two years before receiving his driver’s license, which opened the door to hauling milk for the Urbank Creamery. He then proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army National Guard for six years. Following his time with the creamery, he began what would become a remarkable career spanning over 50 years with Urbank Bait, where he hauled bait and remained actively working part-time well into his later years. Cliff was united in marriage to Donna Mae Waldorf on November 16, 1968, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Millerville, where he remained a faithful member throughout his life. Together, they were blessed with two daughters, Julie and Jodi. Cliff found joy in the simple, meaningful things in life. He enjoyed mowing his lawn—and often helping others with theirs—along with deer hunting and trapping. He was known for heading out for his “do-ings,” rarely missing a family gathering and never arriving empty-handed. Cliff also took great care in remembering others, often sending birthday and holiday cards. He enjoyed coffee at all hours of the day and was known for his incredible luck in raffles. Above all, Cliff’s greatest joy was his family, who meant everything to him.

He was preceded in death by his mother Lorraine Koep; father Wendelin Koep, Sr., and stepmother Elreen Koep; infant sisters, Lorraine Koep and Loraine Koep; brothers, Marvin Koep, Terrance Koep, Ronald Koep, and Jerome Koep; brother-in-law Neil Martenson; and sister-in-law Bernice Koep.

Clifford is survived by his two daughters, Julie (Kirby) Strunk and Jodi Christopherson; seven grandchildren, Shawn (Caitlyn) Strunk, Alyssa (Lindsey Samson) Strunk, Taylor (Shane) Krienke, Isaac Strunk, Ashli (Layne) Evers, Drew Christopherson, and Carter Christopherson; great-grandchildren, Parker and Hudson Strunk, Hadley and Baby Krienke on the way, and Brynlee Evers; six brothers, Wendelin “Junior” (Joan) Koep, Jr., Myron (Virginia) Koep, Allen (Debbie) Koep, Wayne (Carol) Koep, Gerard (Doris) Koep, and Ralph (Connie) Koep; sister Arleen Martenson; step-brother Alan Hagedorn; sister-in-law Anne Koep; along with many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Urn bearers are his grandchildren.