Wilhelmina B. “Minnie” Cloepfil was born to Henry and Elise Laumann Vette on their family farm near Westboro, March 4, 1911. She graduated from Westboro High School and received her teaching certificate from Northwest Missouri State Teachers College. She taught a one-room rural school in Atchison County until 1935, and again in the early 1940s.

She was married to Olin Cloepfil in 1933. They lived on the Cloepfil family farm until 1975, when they retired and moved to Tarkio. Her husband died in 1989. She remained in Tarkio until moving to North Kansas City in 2005. Minnie, died Thursday, March 15, 2007 at her home in North Kansas City at the age of 96 years.

Minnie was a devoted and life-long member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, rural Westboro, where she served as pianist, choir director and organist.

She is survived by her daughter, Dolores Palmer (Robert) of North Kansas City, grandson, Stanley Palmer (Dana), granddaughter Jean Sauer (Stan), all of Kansas City, North, granddaughter Elaine Laber (Eron) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and eight great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by three brothers, a sister, and a grandson.

Funeral services will be at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Monday, March 19 at 10:00 A.M., with interment at Linden Cemetery, rural Rock Port. The family will receive friends at St. John’s church following the burial.
Memorials may be directed to the Music Fund, St. John’s Lutheran Church, 22186 St. Hwy B, Westboro, MO 64498.