Erna Emma Koppelmann, 95, reached out to take her Lord's hand guiding her into heaven late Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014 at the Sheboygan Senior Community where she had been residing for 7 years, 1 month and 13 days. Born October 23, 1918 in the Town of Greenbush, Erna was a daughter of the late Robert C. and Bertha Iserloth Wittkopp. Erna was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Plymouth. She attended St. John's Lutheran Grade School and graduated from Plymouth High School in 1936. On April 16, 1941, she was united in marriage to Norbert O. Koppelmann at the parsonage of St. John's Lutheran Church in Plymouth. They resided and helped on the farm in the Town of Sheboygan before moving into Sheboygan in 1957. Norbert preceded her in death on October 1, 2010. Erna's first job was working for Dr. Deitch at his family home in Plymouth. Later, she worked in Sheboygan over the years at Wolfes Laundry, Art Imig's Laundry, Richardson Furniture, Enzo Jell and retired from the Sheboygan Senior Community as a dining room food service employee. She was a member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church where she attended Bible Classes, was a member of the Ladies Aid and Mission Society volunteered in the church office. She enjoyed Sudoku and word search puzzles, knitting, crocheting and was an excellent seamstress, having sewed many articles for her family. While on the farm, she enjoyed gardening. She is survived by her daughter Carol Mae Opgenorth and her son-in-law, James R. Baumgart, Sheboygan; her grandchildren, Andrew L. and his wife, Kirsten Fillion Opgenorth, Sheboygan, Timothy A. Opgenorth and his wife, Keri Brezgel, New Berlin; great grandchildren, Andrew Leroy Opgenorth, Jr., Florida and Christina Caryl, Connecticut; step grandchildren, Katherine Baumgart, Sheboygan; step great grandchildren, Alex and Lindsey Fillion, Sheboygan; her twin sister Edna and George Kluenker, Manitowoc; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Melba and Edward Voss, Sheboygan; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Besides her parents and husband, Norbert, she was preceded in death by her sister Zelda Wittkopp and her brother Aaron Wittkopp, her son-in-law, Leroy C. Opgenorth, a grandson Brian A. Opgenorth, and a nephew Michael Wittkopp. Funeral services for Edna will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, 2014 at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, 1810 N. 13th Street. The Rev. Alan Kretschmar will officiate. Family and friends are welcome at the church on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will take place in Greenlawn Memorial Park. A memorial fund has been established in her name for St. Paul Church and Lutheran High School. The family would like to thank the Doctors, Nurses, staff and volunteers for their loving care and support shown to Erna and her family over the years The Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Erna's arrangements.
