Marlowe Weppler

Marlowe Weppler, 81, a lifelong Lewis area farmer, passed away Monday, November 23, 2015, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

Marlowe William Weppler was born on July 9, 1934, on the farm near Lewis, Iowa, the son of William John and Bernice Eliza (Weaver) Weppler. He got his start in farming at the age of 9 driving the tractor, working in the field, and doing chores and milking the cows with his sisters before they left for school. While attending Lewis High School he was on the basketball and baseball team, and graduated in 1952. Following graduation he continued helping on the family farm, along side his dad, until he was drafted into the United States Army in 1955. Marlowe received basic training in Arkansas and Oklahoma, and was stationed in Germany until his honorable discharge in 1957. He returned to help on the family farm, but also was employed with a construction company, masonry company, and was a switchmen for the railroad.

Marlowe met the love of his life on a blind date set up by mutual friends. How could a farm boy from Lewis meet a city girl from Council Bluffs? Turned out, one of city girl's best friends was dating another farm boy from Lewis. That friend's boyfriend . . . had another best friend, Marlowe. . . and the rest was history. They were married on March 17, 1962, at the Little Brown Church in the Vale, in Nashua, Iowa. They started out their married life in Council Bluffs, living there for a short time before moving out to a farm southeast of Lewis. Marlowe raised numerous head of cattle, hogs, and sheep. He looked forward in later years to helping his kids and grandkids get sheep ready for the fair. The couple valued time with family and enjoyed ballroom dancing and trips in retirement to Branson.

Marlowe worked hard and took great pride in farming. He saw a lot of changes over the years, and even in the fall of 2015 he was unsure if he could jump behind the wheel of the combine. To no one's surprise he didn’t have a bit of trouble and completed another successful harvest.

There was nothing more important to Marlowe than his family. He was so proud of all of them and cherished all the time they spent together. His grandkids will remember the countless rides to and from school and almost always in attendance at their sporting events or concerts. This past summer they made memories that the entire family will treasure for years to come on a trip to South Dakota, Wyoming and Colorado. While traveling they took in many sites and were even able to stop at a ranch where Marlowe had bought cattle for many years. He regularly attended the Iowa State Fair, where, this past year, he watched his first professional concert ever, "Alabama". Not only was he usually in attendance at the granddaughter’s concerts at Iowa State, but also enjoyed Iowa State football and basketball games.
He was a member of the Lewis United Congregational Methodist Church, where he formerly served as a trustee and on the church board. In past years, he had also participated in a bowling and pool league.

Marlowe is survived by his daughter, Tracy Schmidt and her husband, Neil of Griswold, IA; son, Todd Weppler of Lewis, IA; grandchildren, Kelsie Anne Schmidt, Haley Kay Schmidt, and Cale Marlowe Schmidt; sister, Alice Baker; sister-in-law, Bev Weppler; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Bernice Weppler; wife, Connie on April 4, 2015; parents-in-law, Woodrow and Louise Southard; sister, Rose (Wayne) Christensen; brother, Harold Weppler; and brothers-in-law, Woodrow Kent Southard and Donald Baker.

Open visitation will be from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Friday, November 27th and from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 26th at Roland Funeral Home. Visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 28, 2015, at the United Congregational Methodist Church in Lewis, with Pastor Jerry Neal officiating. Interment, with military honors by the Atlantic Color Guard, will be in the Atlantic Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the family for designation at a later date.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Marlowe's family and his arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

IN REMEMBRANCE OF

Marlowe William Weppler
BORN
July 9, 1934 ~ Lewis, Iowa

ENTERED INTO REST
November 23, 2015 ~ Omaha, Nebraska
At the age of 81 years, 4 months, 14 days

FUNERAL SERVICE
2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 28, 2015
United Congregational Methodist Church ~ Lewis, Iowa

OFFICIATING ~ Pastor Jerry Neal

MUSICIANS ~ Kathy Govig, Kelsie and Haley Schmidt, Heidi Hinman

MUSICAL SELECTIONS
Processional -”Hymn of Promise”
“In The Garden”
“Amazing Grace”
“How Great Thou Art”
“I’ll Fly Away”
Recessional - “The Old Rugged Cross”

CASKET BEARERS
Cale Schmidt
Clint Weppler
Jim Christensen
Gail Christensen
Keith Baker
Alvin Baker

HONORARY CASKET BEARERS
Gary Christensen
Lary Christensen
Tom Christensen
Lynn Christensen
Dan Christensen
Chris Christensen
Craig Christensen
Troy Weppler
Duane Weppler
Delbert Kirchhoff
Wayne Kirchhoff

FLOWER COMMITTEE
Teresa Stoaks
Lori Weller
DeeAnn Brokaw
Glenda Walker
Donelle Baker
Annette Janecek

INTERMENT
Atlantic Cemetery ~ Atlantic, Iowa

MILITARY HONORS
Atlantic Color Guard

The family invites you to join them at the United Congregational Methodist Church in Lewis for lunch following the committal service in Atlantic.

Memorials may be made to the family for designation at a later date.