Tillie Koci

Funeral Service for Tillie Martha Koci, 95, of Wheaton, Minnesota will be held Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton, Minnesota with Rev. Anthony Ahrendt officiating. Organist will be Sara Rinke with special music provided by Dennis Johnson. Pallbearers will be Walter Schmidtke, Gene Borsheim, Brett Lupkes, Randy Olson, Ralph Lupkes, Lyle Lupkes, Jimmy Lupkes and Jim Hennen. Honorary Pallbearers will be Stanley Klomstad, Richard Lupkes, Stephen Lupkes, Myles Dymacek, Franklin Hronik and Chris Lupkes. Interment will be in St. John Lutheran Cemetery, rural Wheaton. Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 25, 2011 from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at the Ranney Funeral Home in Wheaton, and continue one hour prior to service time at the church on Wednesday. The Ranney Funeral Home of Wheaton, Minnesota is in charge of arrangements. Trintje Tillie Martje Lupkes Koci was born on February 23, 1916 in Dike, Iowa. She was the daughter of George, Sr. and Jennie (Barkoff) Lupkes. Tillie was baptized on December 3, 1916 by Pastor E.J. Voss in Dike, Iowa. She moved with her family to Wheaton, Minnesota in 1928. Tillie attended School District #39 in rural Wheaton and received her 8th grade diploma on July 11, 1930 at Wheaton High School. Tillie reaffirmed her baptism in confirmation on May 6, 1934 at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton. Tillie was united in holy matrimony to Joseph Mike Koci on February 16, 1945 at St. John Parsonage in Wheaton. They were blessed with three children, Judy Kay, Linda Jo and Michael Joseph. Tillie lived at the corner of 3rd Avenue North and 9th Street in Wheaton for more than sixty years until she became a resident of the Traverse Care Center on January 4, 2011. Tillie resided at the Care Center until her death on October 17, 2011. Tillie lived her life around her family and her faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Tillie was active in Church Circle and faithfully attended St. John Lutheran Church until she hurt her ankle falling from a ladder several years ago. Tillie is well remembered for her beautifully decorated cakes and lovely flowers. She was an avid gardener. Tillie loved to crochet and embroider. She was an active member of Traverse County Homemakers and Wheaton Garden Club. Tillie is survived by two children, Linda (Dennis) Johnson of Fergus Falls, Minnesota and Michael (Jody) Koci of Shakopee, Minnesota, son-in-law, Michael Gemperle of Minneapolis, Minnesota, three sisters, Francis (Earl) Borsheim of Wheaton, Irene Kaul of Rochester, Minnesota, Mary (Fritz) Mueller of Madison, Minnesota, and two brothers, Elmer (Dorothy) Lupkes and Oscar (Merlita) Lupkes both of Wheaton, sister-in-law, Mrs Dorothy Lupkes of Wheaton, and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. Tillie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Joseph M. Koci, his parents, Joseph P. and Katie (Fictum) Koci, daughter, Judith Koci Gemperle, six siblings, Christina and her husband Wendell Hernvall, Fred and his wife Bernette Lupkes, George Lupkes Jr., Ole and his wife Caroline Lupkes, Jeanette and her husband Einar Olson, and Hilka and her husband Herman Schmidtke. Blessed be the memory of Tillie M. Koci.