August 30, 1938 - April 3, 2025
Raymond “Pep” Albert Poeppe passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of God and his children at the Algona Good Samaritan Center on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at the age of 86. Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, April 9 at 10:30 a.m. at Divine Mercy Catholic Parish - St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Algona. Mass was livestreamed via Divine Mercy Catholic Parish’s YouTube page. Inurnment took place at Calvary Cemetery in Algona. Memorial visitation was held on Tuesday, April 8, from 5 until 7 p.m. at Lentz Funeral Home in Algona. Services have been entrusted to Lentz Funeral Home of Algona. Online condolences may be left at www.lentzfuneralhome.com.
Ray was born on Aug. 30, 1938, to Theodore and Lucille Poeppe (Leiting) in Carroll. Growing up on a dairy farm, Ray learned at a very young age the values of hard work. Those values were revealed in every handshake Ray extended freely and kindly to new and old friends. He had various interests and hobbies such as game hunting out West with his brothers and friends, wildlife watching, western art, western music and reading. Ray also had a passion for horses, antiques and collecting old pocket knives. Combining these interests with curiosity, led Ray to pick up a pocket knife and begin a new life long hobby of wood carving. Carving for hours in his woodshop, his imagination created beautiful works of art depicting all kinds of wildlife, many with western themes.
His art has been featured in art galleries in the West and Midwest. And his children and grandchildren, with tremendous pride, display many of them in their homes.
Ray married his sweetheart, Sharon Marie Priebe in 1960. They moved to the Algona area in 1961, when Ray began working for the Borden’s Distribution Co. delivering milk to homes and the local grocery stores. In 1972, he began a new career by purchasing a downtown bar, naming it “Pep’s Place.” For 23 years it was a favorite hang out for many and continues to be so under the ownership of his son, Doug Poeppe, now in its 53rd year as “Pep’s.” In the 1990s, being a true entrepreneur, Ray turned his interest for antiques into a business, “The State Street Antique Mall.” After the sale of the mall, he enjoyed working part- time for Hy-Vee and K-mart up until Sharon’s passing in 2015.
Ray is survived by his children, Doug (Kim) Poeppe, Darren (Julie) Poeppe, Danielle (Jeff) Andersen and Dena Evers; grandchildren Jared (Lauren) Poeppe, Mark (Emily) Poeppe, Sara (Alan) Horstman, Josh (Shelby) Poeppe, Adam Poeppe, Ethan (Ali) Poeppe, Luke Poeppe, Caleb (Alyssa) DeRoos, Jessie (Jason) Redmann and Sam Evers; and 13 great-grandchildren; siblings, Lois Wenzel, Donna Wernimont, Lee Poeppe and Lynn Poeppe.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Sharon; parents, Ted and Lucille Poeppe; sisters, Joan Schulte, Collette Monteros; brothers, Loren, Romayne and infant, Clare Poeppe; son-in-law, Larry Evers Jr. and great-grandson Phoenix.
Ray greatly loved his family, often saying, “words could never express just how much.” He treasured time with his siblings, wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is forever loved in return. We hold close to our hearts the memories he gave and the promises of Christ, who conquered death for all who believe. Til we meet again Ray, Dad, Grandpa and Great-Grandpa.
Memorials may be directed to Water’s Edge Nature, 1010 250th Street, Algona, Iowa 50511, Center in honor of Ray.