Jerome "Jerry" E. Koep

Jerome “Jerry” E. Koep, age 83, of Parkers Prairie, died on Sunday, May 21, 2023, at Astera Health in Wadena.

Visitation is 10 a.m. until 11 a.m., Thursday, May 25, 2023, at St. William’s Living Center Chapel in Parkers Prairie.

A private family service will be held. Interment with full military honors will take place at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls.

Jerome Edmond was born on October 2, 1939, to Wendelin Sr. and Lorraine (Klimek) Koep in Parkers Prairie. He was baptized and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Urbank. Jerry attended Country School District #43, through the sixth grade. He left school to help on the family farm until he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Jerry was honorably discharged after two years of service and returned home. He worked as a painter in the Urbank area for a few years before moving to the Twin Cities. Jerry worked at a foundry in St. Paul for the next five years. He returned home and milked cows for several area farmers for many years. Besides farming, he loved tending his garden and raising chickens. Jerry enjoyed listening and dancing to polka music and socializing with friends and family. Later in his life, he moved into St. William’s Living Center in Parkers Prairie where he also enjoyed Wii Bowling and jigsaw puzzles.

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, and Ronald Koep; brother-in-law, Neil Martenson; and sister-in-law, Bernice Koep.

Jerry is survived by seven brothers, Clifford Koep of Brandon, Wendelin (Joan) Koep, Jr., of Evansville, Myron (Virginia) Koep of Brandon, Allen (Debbie) Koep of Milaca, Wayne (Carole) Koep of Brandon, Gerard (Doris) Koep of Parkers Prairie, and Ralph (Connie) Koep of Rosemount; sister, Arleen Martenson of Rockford; step-brother, Alan Hagedorn of Clitherall; sister-in-law, Anne Koep of Parkers Prairie; along with several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Pallbearers are his brothers.