Florence Kepplin

A funeral service for Florence Kepplin, 95, of Glen Ullin, will be 11:00 a. m. CST, Friday, February 7, 2014 at United Church of Christ in Bismarck, with Rev. Gretchen Deeg officiating. Burial will take place in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan. Visitation for Florence will be 1:00 p. m. – 2:30 p. m. , CST, Thursday, February 6th at the Marian Manor Healthcare Center in Glen Ullin. Visitation will continue on Friday, February 7th, one hour prior to the service at the church. Florence passed away Sunday, February 02, 2014 at Marian Manor in Glen Ullin. Florence Magdalena was born April 12, 1918, in rural Hebron, the daughter of William and Magdalena (Staiger) Schmidt. She and her younger brother, Alvin, grew up on the family farm that her grandparents homesteaded south of Hebron. She attended the rural Heilborn district grade school. Florence graduated from Hebron High School in 1938. She was an employee of J. C. Penney’s in Hebron. On August 16, 1942, Florence married Emil Kepplin, who was enlisted in the Army, in Sturgis, SD. She traveled with Emil to California until he was deployed during World War II. While Emil served overseas, she worked at J. C. Penny’s in Bismarck. After he returned, the couple moved to Hebron. In 1949 they moved to Glen Ullin. They purchased and operated the Gambles store from 1964 through 1977. Florence later worked as an activity aide for Marian Manor. She moved to Bismarck in 2001 and returned to Glen Ullin in 2007. Florence loved a good cup of coffee. She enjoyed singing and playing the piano. She loved music from the 1940s. She was an avid card player and belonged to many bridge clubs. She was an expert seamstress, baker, and cook. She enjoyed all types of crafts that included cross stitch, embroidery, crocheting, and making Christmas stockings for her family. In her later years, she was known for her gifts of hangers that were wrapped with yarn. Florence was very involved in service to her community. She was a member of the United Church of Christ in Glen Ullin. She shared her talent as piano player for 20 years, sang in the choir, served as a deacon and was President of the Women’s Fellowship group. She was a 67 year member and past President of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader, a Meals on Wheels volunteer, President of the Glen Ullin Senior Citizens Center and in her later years, a member of the North Dakota Association of the Blind. Florence is survived by her two daughters, Beverly (Donald) Sattler of Goodyear, AZ and Julie (Monte) Klein of Bismarck, ND; two grandsons, Christopher Klein and Jonathan (Marie) Klein, both of Bismarck; great-grandson, Jack Jonathan Klein of Bismarck; nephew, Bill (Peggy) Schmidt and family of Sheridan, WY; nieces, Candy (Michael) Brunelle and family of Rapid City, SD and Diane Boschee and family of Las Vegas, NV. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Magdalena Schmidt; husband, Emil; brothers, Walter (infant) and Alvin Schmidt; and sister-in-law, Joyce Schmidt. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the donor’s choice or the family will direct memorials to the University of Mary Choral Program to celebrate Florence’s love of singing.


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Burial Date: February 7, 2014
Funeral Home Glen Ullin, ND

Funeral Service: Friday: United Church of Christ, Bismarck, ND