PILGER — Services for Rick Koepke, 61, of Pilger will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church with military honors at the Pilger Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 3 until 8 p.m., with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m., at Minnick Funeral Home in Pilger and continue at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.
He died Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, at his residence.
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Richard Lynn Koepke was born March 27, 1951, in Norfolk to Junior and Doris (Mulinix) Koepke. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Pilger. Rick attended Pilger Public School and graduated in 1969.
Rick Koepke entered the U.S. Army Nov. 28, 1969, with basic training at Fort Lewis, Wash., and advanced infantry training at Fort Knox, Ky. He served as an armored reconnaissance specialist in Vietnam with the 4th Infantry Division and was later transferred to the American Division H Troop, 17th Cavalry.
In addition to numerous commemorative medals, he was awarded the Bronze Star medal for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces. Rick was honorably discharged in July 1971.
Rick returned to Pilger where he began working with his mother in her upholstery shop. In 1973, he became owner operator of Koepke Upholstery, acquiring a reputation for superior craftsmanship. In addition, he worked for various farmers and bartended at the Pilger Pump.
Following 18 years in upholstery, he partnered in a new business, K & K Pallet in Stanton. Rick was presently employed by J & L Trucking of Stanton.
Rick was a lifetime member of the Stanton VFW Post 3602, American Veterans Motor Cycle Club of Nebraska and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. He served on the Pilger Fire Department for a number of years.
Survivors include daughter Shella and Jeff Thoman of Concordia, Kan., and sons Noah and Isaac; son Jesse and Amy Koepke of Lincoln and sons Briar, Landon and Xander; sisters Sonja and Ray Lehman of Stanton, Linda and Rich Kuehler of Yankton, S.D., and June and John Horst of Wisner. Many nieces, nephews and great friends also survive him.
Rick was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Roger Koepke.
