Marion Ruth Koepke

Marion Ruth Koepke of Appleton, entered her heavenly home on Friday, August 29, 2025 at the age of 85. She was born in St. Joseph, Michigan on December 9, 1939 to the late Edwin and Elsie (Seidenberg) Zordel. She graduated from Appleton High School West and attended Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. On November 21, 1959, she married Don Koepke and together they raised three children. Don preceded her in death in 2007.

Marion and Don owned and operated Concrete Corp, of which she was the Vice-President. After selling the company, they formed another corporation called Visions Unlimited of America, Inc. Together Marion and Don volunteered at Rawhide Boys Ranch for 35 years and chaired their telethon. Marion belonged to Concerned Women for America, was an officer in the Christian Women's Club, board member on the Outagamie Health and Human Services board, chaired the AODA committee and served on the Board of Directors at Concrete Pipe Corp. She was a member of the Reader's Reaction Forum and was a P/C Community board member.

Marion and Don were also foster parents in Outagamie County and a C.A.T.C.H. home for Rawhide. While foster parents, they found a gap in foster / juvenile justice care and community living. They then founded a non-profit organization called Another Chance, Inc. to fill that gap. All in all they were call 'Pa and Ma' by 36 children and young people throughout the years.

Marion is survived by her children: Julie (Morgan) and Henry Laib, Susan and Herman 'Joe' Jennerjohn, Douglas Koepke; grandchildren: Sara (Kyle) Robbins, Crystal (Jon) Faulks, Nicole (Tony) Phillips, Melony Jennerjohn, Kimberly (Jose) Alvarez, Adam (Alisha) Jennerjohn, Alex (Sylvia) Jennerjohn, and numerous great-grandchildren.

Besides her parents and husband, Marion was preceded in death by her sister, Margo Koehnke and brother, Brian Zordel.

Marion was a member of Appleton Alliance Church and her memorial service will be held there at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 18, 2025, with Rev. Mark Tegtmeier officiating. A gathering of family and friends will be held on that Thursday at the church from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.

Her family would like to thank the staff at Peabody Manor and ThedaCare At Home Hospice for the wonderful care they gave Marion.