Elvera D. Roepke

Elvera D. Roepke, age 96, of Waterville, passed away on Thursday, May 21, 2020, at Sunrise of Leawood, assisted living in Leawood, Kansas.

Elvera was born February 3, 1924, in Waterville. She is the daughter of Charles H. and Lena M. (Scheibe) Drever. 

She graduated from Waterville High School in 1942. Later she moved to Wichita working at the Beechcraft plant while Butch worked at the Cessna plant.   

On November 21, 1943, Elvera married Clarence M. “Butch” Roepke at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Waterville. 

Elvera was a member of the Ladies Aide Society, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and a member of the Shakespeare Club in Waterville. Elvera served thirteen years as a Sunday School Teacher, thirty years as a Girl Scout Leader, twenty five years as a RSVP volunteer, twenty five years as an elementary school volunteer, twenty years as a Meals on Wheels driver and coordinator and had given over ten gallons of blood at Red Cross blood drives. 

Elvera also served as a community leader for Oktoberfest, the Waterville Centennial, Nickle Day, Summer Theater and Victorian Days in Waterville. Service to family and community was Elvera’s guiding principle as characterized by her gracious involvement in the above organizations. She baked and sewed and volunteered wherever she was needed. With extreme pride in her community she set the perfect example for her children and grandchildren by sharing her time and talents wherever she was needed. Her love for her family was apparent as she always greeted her children and grandchildren with a glowing smile and genuine interest.

Survivors include her three children: Craig (Maryanne) Roepke of Leawood, Kaye (Mike) Hurtt of Denver, Colorado and Shelly Roepke of Ellensburg, Washington, seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. 

Preceding Elvera in death were her husband Butch in 1997, her parents, a sister, Verda Meyer and two brothers: Lawrence Drever and Elvin “Lefty” Drever.

A memorial service is planned for 2:00 pm, Saturday, May 22, 2021 at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Waterville with Sister Mary Arie officiating. Music is to include “How Great Thou Art” sung by Alvin Roepke with Kim Oatney being the organist. Inurnment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Waterville.

Memorials are suggested to either: to the Girl Scouts at gsksmo.org or to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in care of Terry-Christie Funeral Home at PO Box 61, Waterville, Kansas 66548.