Karla Kepler

SLAYTON — Services for Karla Kepler, 74, of Slayton will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Ann’s Church in Slayton. Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. today at the church, and one hour prior to the service at the church Thursday. Burial is at St. Ann’s Cemetery in Slayton. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements. To view online obituary and send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com.

She died Sunday, May 19, 2024, at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, S.D., surrounded by her family

Karla Kepler was born Feb. 21, 1950, in Slayton, to Adrian Sr. and Dolores Wagner Hebig. She grew up in Iona and graduated from Slayton High School in 1968. Following high school Karla attended Jackson Vo-Tech graduating with a business degree in 1970. On Feb. 21, 1970, she and Curtis Kepler were married at St. Columba Church in Iona. Following their marriage, they made their home in Slayton. Over the years Karla worked at the Slayton Furniture Store and Slayton Floral. In 1997, she and Curt purchased the Slayton Bakery. This move was full circle for the Kepler’s as they had first met each other when they both worked at the bakery. When they first met, Karla couldn’t figure out what was wrong with the bread slicer that she was working on. There was this good-looking guy baking and she thought why not ask him. She asked for help only to find out that it wasn’t plugged in. They both say it was love at first sight and the rest was history. They owned and operated it until 2010 when they sold it to their daughter Kim and her husband, Troy. Karla remained working at the bakery until February 2024 when she was forced to retire due to health reasons. She was a member of St. Ann’s Church in Slayton where she taught release time and was in charge of making coleslaw for the fall dinners for many years. Family was everything to Karla. While her kids were growing up, Karla attended every sporting event, choir and band concerts and many other things that her kids were involved in. She continued the same with her grandkids. You could always find her in the stands at games or in the auditorium watching dance.  There was nothing more important to her than her family. Karla continued to be close to her siblings and throughout her life, she spent many Sundays with them catching up and laughing. Karla loved life and lived it to the fullest. She was always there for anyone in need. She would go out of her way to help and to make sure that everyone was OK. Karla had many that considered her their second “mom.” She had a huge heart and shared that love with so many. To meet Karla, was to love her.  She made friends everywhere she went, and she loved getting to know people’s stories. She also loved to laugh, and her quick wit had those around her smiling and looking forward to the next time that they would see her. Karla could be found on her many walks around town. She loved to stay active and didn’t slow down often. She was looking forward to retiring and getting to do many of things that she hadn’t been able to do yet. Karla had a green thumb and loved her plants and flowers. Karla enjoyed golfing, watching the MN Twins and other MN sports teams, reading, cake decorating, and visiting with her many friends. Karla was one of a kind and made her mark on this world. She won’t be forgotten. 

Survivors include her husband, Curt Kepler of Slayton; three children and their spouses, Dawn Kepler of Lakeville, Troy and Sarah Kepler of Marshall, and Kim and Troy DeGreeff of Slayton; four grandchildren, Emma and Carter Kepler, and Connor and Payton DeGreeff; five siblings and their spouses, Renee Bjornebo of Marshall, Denise Jeseritz of Cottonwood, George and Lori Hebig of Tracy, Sheila and Steve Leary of Sioux Falls, SD, and Adrian Jr. and Niki Hebig of Apple Valley, and several nieces and nephews and their families. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, and one brother-in-law, Jerry Bjornebo.