Russell John Koep

Russell John Koep, age 77, of Alexandria, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, December 2, 2024.

Mass of Christian Burial is 11 a.m., on Friday, December 13, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Urbank with Fr. Jeremy Theis presiding. Internment will take place at St. William’s Catholic Cemetery, Parkers Prairie.

Visitation will begin with a 4 p.m. prayer service and will conclude at 7 p.m., on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Russell was born on June 9, 1947, to Donald and Dorothy (Klimek) Koep in Parkers Prairie. He grew up in Urbank, was baptized, and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church where he also attended parochial school. He completed his education at Parkers Prairie Public Schools. He was united in marriage to Kathy Rich and to this union, their son Travis was born.

On June 10, 1971, Russ was united in marriage to Barbara Lien at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Urbank. To this union three children were born, Kevin, Joy and Mark. They resided in Parkers Prairie. During his time in Parkers Prairie, Russ worked for Urbank Bait and Fur and Cigelski Silo. He and Barb moved their family to New Ulm in 1978. Here, he worked for Bordens, later known as Firmenich Industrial Food Products, where he worked for 30 years. Russ retired from Firmenich in 2007 at which time he and Barb returned to the Alexandria area. 

In his younger years, Russ developed a love for gardening, which he would say was from all the time he would spend in the garden with his mother when he was growing up. He shared his love for plants in his youth through participating in 4H. Russ’ appreciation for nature was lifelong. He loved spending time outdoors, hunting and fishing, tending to the many little trees he planted and going mushrooming. He enjoyed sharing his love for the outdoors with his children and grandchildren through the many years of deer camp adventures and fishing trips. It gave him much pride to see them grow to love the outdoors as he did. Russ was an avid Minnesota sports fan. In the summer he loved going to the races on Saturday nights and enjoyed the Football season and cheering for the Vikings. Russ was always up for a good game of cribbage, a good visit and enjoying the simple pleasure of sleeping in. He also enjoyed going for a drive in his Jeep, looking at wildlife, stopping in for a visit with family and friends and spending time with his grandchildren. Russ was a former member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Ulm. 

He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Joy; and three brothers, Charles, Donald, Jr., and Dale.

Russ is survived by his three sons, Travis Koep of Parkers Prairie, Kevin (Debi) Koep of Alexandria, and Mark Koep of Miltona; former wife of nearly 50 years, Barbara Koep of Miltona; three brothers, Duane Koep of Parkers Prairie, Robert (Debbie) Koep of Kensington, and Kenny (Ann) Koep of Alexandria; six sisters, Karen (Vern) Arndt of Waite Park, Dorothy O’Brien of Pelican Rapids, Lois (Peter) Hansen of Eden Prairie, Janet Koep of New Prague, Rita (Roger) Heine of Bloomington, and Joyce Koep of Alexandria; six grandchildren, Cassandra Koep, Tyler (Katie) Koep, Nick (Tasha) Koep, Tanner (Lydia) Koep, Aubrey (Joe) Koep, and William Koep; four great-grandchildren, Theresa, Brendan, Gemma, and Tristan; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Urnbearers are his grandchildren.