Wepler, Percy and Patricia (Tepesch)

(Dorothy Anderson)

Percy Aldo Wepler was born in Decorah, IA to J. Elmer and Inga Wepler. (See their story.) Percy married Patricia “Pat” Tepesch 11 Jun 1955 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Waukon, IA. Patricia was the daughter of Celia and Fred Tepesch. Fred was born 8 Aug 1888 in Oresac, Austria and died 25 Oct 1960. Celia was born 26 Apr 1896 in Waukon and died 8 Nov 1967. Pat had 3 brothers and 7 sisters: Carl; Stella “Sis” Fiuinker of Monona, IA; Kathryn “Snookie” Donalek of River Falls, Wl; Janet “Bub” Lawson of Waukon; Thoma; Agnes Kirkpatrick of Coralville, IA; Francis W. “Bill” of Waukon; Dorothy Wiltgen of Oelwein, IA; Bernadette “Bernie" Lawler of Ames, IA; and Sally who died in infancy.

Percy and Pat Wepler family
Back row; Mike, Teresa and Ron.
Front row: Pat and Percy.

Pat graduated from St. Patrick's High School in Waukon and was a Bell Telephone operator. She gives much enjoyment to herself and others with her crafts and excellent needlework of all kinds. Percy graduated from Decorah High School. He was drafted and served in the Korean War. Percy learned butchering and meat cutting from his father and continued this work in Vinton, Iowa Falls and Waterloo. His sister’s favorite story about his golfing is that she took Percy to Silver Crest Golf Club to teach him to golf and he beat her! Percy died 24 Jan 1986 from a heart attack just as he left work on a special “day off” during the Super Bowl.

Percy and Pat had 3 children: Ronald, Teresa and Michael. Ronald “Ron” was born in Decorah. After graduation from Central High School in Waterloo he received his B.A. at UNI and his engineering degree from Iowa State University in Ames. He accepted a position at Connersville, IN (Indianapolis) where he met Carole J. Wooge. They were married 19 Apr 1990 in Trinity Episcopal Church. Ron and Carole are now with Engineering at Ford in Detroit, Ml. They have one son Christopher Joseph. Music, flying and maintaining his home are among Ron’s hobbies. Teresa was born in Decorah. She graduated from Central High School in Waterloo. Teresa seldom misses the Decorah “Nordic Fest." She works as office manager at Caldwell Banker-Granger Realtors. Teresa married Kent Shader at the Blessed Sacrament Church. Ken works with Aable Extermination. Teresa and Kent have 2 children: Melissa; and Kyle Alan.The Shaders enjoy many barbecues, camping trips, boating, skiing and family activities. Michael “Mike” was born in Allen Memorial Hospital, Waterloo. After graduating from Central High School he attended Dorfmans studying to be a machinist. He has always had a special interest in cars. He works with Dorfman Mfg. and is blessed with many fine qualities. Mike also works at Western Auto repairing cars. He loves racing and rebuilding old cars which keeps him very busy.

Wepler, Walter and Gladys (Rickert)

(Gladys Wepler)

Walter W. Wepler was born on 27 Oct 1919 in Winneshiek Co. He was the son of J. Elmer and Inga Wepler. (See Elmer and Inga Wepler story.)

Walter married Gladys Wilma Rickert who was born 13 Jun 1923 in Clayton Co. She was the daughter of George and Sophia (Possehl) Rickert. Her father was born 19 Jul 1884 at Meridan, MN and died 12 Jun 1972. Her mother was born 10 Feb 1891 at Clayton Center, IA and died 14 May 1975. They were married 10 Feb 1909 at Elkader, IA. Gladys' sister and brother were Sylvia (m. Alvin Engelhardt) and Gerald John Rickert. Sylvia’s history is found in the 1984 HISTORY OF CLAYTON COUNTY

Walter and Gladys were married on 26 Aug 1943 at Boston, MA. They had four sons: Dennis Lee, David Wayne, Roger Dean and Wesley Alan. They were baptized in the Congregational Church in Decorah and educated in the Decorah schools.

Dennis graduated from Winona State College, Winona, Mn in June 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in business administration. He is a supermarket manager in Eau Claire, Wl. Dennis married Susan Diane Winger, daughter of Lester and Dorothy Winger on 3 Oct 1970 at the First Lutheran Church in Decorah. They have two daughters, Stephanie Rebecca and Alison Lee. Stephanie graduated from Memorial High School in Eau Claire in June 1990 and from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire June 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the School of Education. She is teaching high school Spanish and English at Baldwin-Woodville High School, Baldwin, Wl. Alison graduated from Memorial High School in June 1993. She had completed two years at St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN. She transferred to Stout State University, Memomonie, Wl to pursue a degree in Dietetics. David graduated from Area One Vocational Technical School at Calmar and received a diploma in welding in May 1974. He was employed as a welder at Carter-Day Co. in Minneapolis, MN until moving back to Decorah where he is