The Daily News

Elfrieda Koppelman, 100, Fargo, N.D., formerly Wahpeton, N.D., died Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009, at Bethany Homes, Fargo.

The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21 at Grace Lutheran Church, Fargo.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20 with a 7 p.m. prayer service at Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton, and one hour before the service at the church on Saturday.

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Burial will be in the spring at Fairview Memorial Gardens, Wahpeton.

Elfrieda Marie Margaretha Schradieck was born Oct. 22, 1908, in Summit Township, Richland County, near Tyler, N.D., to Henry and Margaretha (Wiebush) Schradieck. She was baptized in the Lutheran faith by the Rev. T. Hinck. She was reared on the family farm in Summit Township. She attended grade school at Summit No. 4, Richland County, completing the eighth grade. She was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Tyler. She attended Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, Minn., during the ninth grade. She completed a two year course at Dakota Business College, Fargo. Upon graduation in May 1926, her first job was in the office of Model Laundry, Fargo.

Her employment was cut short that same year when her mother died and left four younger siblings at home. At the age of 18, she went home to help her father keep the family together. At the age of 18, she went home to help her father keep the family together. She and her sister, Esther, joined the Summit Home-maker’s Club in 1929. She credits this club for helping them learn the homemaking skills needed to care for the family and was a member of Homemakers Clubs for 35 years.

On June 8, 1930, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Tyler, she married Gilbert Koppelman in a double wedding ceremony with her sister, Esther, and Gil’s brother, Elroy. Both marriages enjoyed more than 60 years together. Gil and Elfrieda farmed from 1930-34 on two different farms near Tyler, and then moved to Wahpeton where they lived during the remainder of their marriage.

In July and August of 1934 she was one of 12 women hired to work at the Richland County Courthouse to administer the federal “Feed and Seed” loan program. This job was the beginning of a 43-year career as a public servant in the Richland County Courthouse. The only interruption was a two-year job with the Health Freedom Association in Madison, Wis., from 1938 to 1939. After returning she held part-time positions in many different offices in the courthouse while raising their two young sons. In February 1953, she was appointed Deputy Treasurer and served in that capacity until 1955. In 1954, when the County Treasurer retired she ran for that office against three male opponents. She won the elections and was sworn into office in May 1955, serving 22 years. She helped organize and held several offices in the North Dakota County Treasurer’s Association.

She was a faithful member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Wahpeton, for 52 years and was a member of LWML and Bible Study. In 1994, three years after the death of her husband, she sold their home in Wahpeton and moved to Trollwood Village Apartments in Fargo to be near her sons. In Fargo she joined Grace Lutheran Church, LWML and Friendship Circle. She also attended Trollwood Village Bible Study. She loved her church and attended faithfully until her health declined.

She was devoted to her husband and family. In the absence of her mother, her home was always the gathering place for extended family. Her love and caring also carried over to her many friends. With her positive attitude, she touched many lives as a mentor and role model. She was a great listener and kept every one in her prayers, even in her 90s she remembered many with cards on special occasions. Her favorite vacation times were travels to all 50 states and 14 countries. She was a true lady who appreciated music all her life, enjoyed keeping her home, and loved her flower gardens. She enjoyed reading especially history, politics, and current events. Most important of all, she was assured of her salvation through Jesus Christ and looked forward to eternal life in heaven.

Elfrieda is survived by: her two sons, Vern (Cleo) Koppelman, Moorhead, Minn., and Marlo Koppelman, Fargo; her granddaughter, Katie, Moorhead; her sister, Ruby Wahl, Fergus Falls, Minn.; her sister-in-law Doretha Schradick, Wahpeton; and many nieces, nephews and countless friends.

She was preceded in death by: her husband; her parents; her sister, Esther and two brothers, Elmer and Ray; one infant sister and brother, Elizabeth and Edwin; and nephew, Duane Bohn.

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