Wilma Lotter Koeppen, 88, formerly of La Porte, IN, went Home to be with the Lord on January 13, 2017 at Burbank Parke Care Center in Burbank, OH. As her health declined, she moved to the center to be closer to family.
She was born on October 13, 1928 in Fort Wayne, IN, to Ernest Lotter and Una (Caulk) Lotter, later moving to Walkerton, then to Mill Creek. She graduated from Rolling Prairie High School. She met her husband while working as a telephone operator for General Telephone. On September 11, 1949, she was united in marriage to William H. Koeppen, who preceded her in death in 1999 after fifty years of marriage. She loved being a member of Evergreen Baptist Church in Michigan City.
Survivors are daughter, Daryl Sowers (William) of Wooster, OH; son, Stephen Koeppen (Linda) of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren, Krista Fitzsimmons (Richard) of Wooster, OH and Kari Krabill (John) of Loudonville, OH; and great-granddaughters, Kaley and Morgan Fitzsimmons. She is survived by a sister-in-law, Elsie. Special friend and caregiver is Clydia Arroyo. Wilma also had many nieces, nephews and dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Scott; brothers Lee, Coy and Harold Lotter and sisters, Norma Jean Tarnow and Thelma Fritzen.
Wilma had the gift of hospitality, opening her home to family, friends, and missionaries to share their stories at her kitchen table. In her three years at Burbank Parke Care Center, she was lovingly cared for and known by her smile and throwing kisses.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center in La Porte with Pastor Jon Rumley officiating. Graveside services will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Mill Creek.
Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10 - 11 am on Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be directed to Evergreen Baptist Church, 2005 E. Coolspring Ave., Michigan City, IN 46360 or Gideon’s International, Memorial Bible Chairman, P.O. Box 766, Winona Lake, IN 46590-0766.
Condolences to the family may be made at www.cutlerfuneralhome.com.