Pearl Schoepke

Pearl Esther Doepke was born May 24, 1927, at St. Mary's Hospital in Wausau, to the late Carl and Viola (Tesch) Doepke. She began working for Muskeegan Piston Rings at an early age where she met and worked with LeRoy Schoepke. After he returned from serving in World War II, the two met by chance and quickly fell in love, marrying six weeks after reuniting on September 7, 1946, in Pine City, MN taken by their friend, Eddie Lang. After leaving Muskeegan Piston Rings, she went on to work at Marathon Rubber for ten years and then finally at Colonial Manor where she worked as a nurse's aide for fifteen years taking care of those in need. Through it all, Pearl genuinely had a heart of gold and a wonderfully giving personality. Her spirit and light will be missed. During this time and in between jobs, Pearl was a devoted mother to her four children and wife to LeRoy. The couple raised their children well and were good role models for them. The family enjoyed going to zoos in Marshfield and Milwaukee as well as camping and fishing. Pearl in particular enjoyed fishing on the Eau Claire River, Rib River and Lake Nokomis, and holds the family record for the biggest catch. Throughout their lives together, Pearl and LeRoy enjoyed dancing and were a very good pair. In her free time, Pearl enjoyed working in her garden, especially enjoying red roses and sweet alyssum. In addition to her four children, Pearl had six little dogs over the years who were always her "furry children".

Pearl E. Schoepke, 83, Wausau, died Thursday, October 7, 2010 at Wausau Manor.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 64 years, LeRoy D. Schoepke Sr.; children, Pearl (Roger) Janikowski, Judith "Judy" (Allen) Dillon, LeRoy (Debbie) Schoepke Jr. and Debra (Michael) Conklin; grandchildren, Jason (Laura) Janikowski, Lindsay Janikowski, Allen (Tracie Tellock), Daniel (Sarah), Andrew and Robby Dillon and Tim (Jenny) Schoepke; great-grandchildren, Noah, Max, Finn and Amelie; brothers, Carl "Buddy" Doepke and Gerald (Doris) Doepke; sister, Arnetta "Dolly" (Ken) Lang; Aunt Adeline; special friend and hairdresser, Margo; many furry children and furry grandchildren and many more extended family and friends. She is preceded in death by her siblings, Dale Doepke and Alice (Orville) Crochiere.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m., Monday, October 11, 2010, at Helke Funeral Home, Wausau. Reverend Phillip Schneider will be officiating. Visitation will begin at noon and last until the time of the funeral at the funeral home. There will be a private burial at Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau.

A special word of thanks goes to the nurses and staff of Wausau Manor for their loving care of Pearl during her stay.