Gerald “Jerry” Koeppel, age 73, passed away on the morning of Tuesday, September 14, 2021.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Jerry will be held at 11AM on Friday, September 24, 2021 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church - Stevens Point. Rev. Steve Brice will officiate. Full Military Honors will follow the service. Friends and family may gather to share memories from 9:30 until the time of services on Friday at the Church. Burial will be held at a later date.

Jerry was born on May 6th, 1948 in Antigo, Wisconsin, son of Oscar and Audrey (Schleinz) Koeppel. He grew up with seven siblings in Phlox, Wisconsin before attending the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree. He worked and lived at Saint Joseph’s Home for Children during his college years, and that is where he found his calling. Jerry took this and became a social worker with Portage County Social Services, beginning in Juvenile Justice in order to help those most in need. He loved his work and spent his entire career from 1972 to 2010 working as a social worker, then supervisor, for Portage County. His work with troubled children also included volunteer work with Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the Special Olympics, and other groups.

On July 31, 1971 he married Marilynn Brooks. They met while he was taking children from the orphanage to Allouez Pool, where she worked as a lifeguard. They moved to their home in Stevens Point shortly after marriage, where they had 2 children: Mark and Brett Koeppel. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this July.

In addition to helping others, Jerry enjoyed almost anything outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and spent much of his time on the Red River near Phlox, Wisconsin, with either a spinning rod, fly rod, or a shotgun. In addition to trout and ducks, he chased bass, deer, and gamebirds, and he taught his children well. He also loved to read, travel, and to spend time at the ocean.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents Oscar and Audrey, his infant sister Mary, and his brother Gene. He is survived by his brothers Bob and Phil, sisters Karen, Lynn, Cindy, and Jan, as well as his wife Marilynn, sons Mark and Brett, and his grandchildren Cheyenne and Cody Koeppel.

The family of Jerry Koeppel invites everyone fortunate enough to have known him to attend his memorial service, but requests that everyone who attends please wear a mask. Thank you.