Lottie Jane Gempeler

Lottie J. Gempeler age 99 of Balaton, MN died Monday, June 11, 2012 at the Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Balaton. Services will be 10:30 AM Saturday, June 16, 2012 at Trinity Church in Balaton. Visistation will be from 4:00 until 8:00 PM Friday, June 15, 2012 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Balaton, with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Interment will be in the Lakeside Cemetery in Balaton, with a luncheon served in the church social hall immediately following the burial. The Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton is handling the arrangements. Lottie Jane Gempeler was born June 5, 1913 to Arthur A. and Lottie T. (Smith) Persons in Garvin, MN. She was Baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and attended school in Garvin, then later, high school in Tracy, MN, graduating in 1931. After high school she graduated from Tracy Teachers Training in 1932 and taught in country schools for two years. On February 17, 1934 Lottie married Emil Gempeler and they made their home in Tracy, before moving to Garvin, and then into Balaton in 1949. She taught school in District #8 south of Balaton until they consolidated with Balaton. Lottie then taught first grade in Balaton for twenty years, retiring in 1976. While teaching she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Mankato State College in 1965. Lottie was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Balaton, and active in her church. She enjoyed flowers, sewing, quilting, and crocheting. She was still crocheting on a towel just two days before her death. In December of 2003 she moved into the Lakeview Senior Housing in Balaton and enjoyed nine years there before becoming a resident in April of 2012, of Colonial Manor Nursing Home, where she died Monday, June 11, 2012 at the age of 99. Lottie is survived by her three daughters, Lorna (Royce) Osborne of Springfield, OR, Lois (Harlan) Ahlschlager of Balaton, MN and Janice (Robert) Kirsch of Bellevue, OH; ten grandchildren, Gaylene Powers, Angela Bunke, Stephanie Walcott, Joyce Nordin, Jeff Ahlschlager, Bryan Kirsch, Ricky, Philip, Greg and Keith Loats; twenty great grandchildren; seven great-great grandchildren; nieces, nephews and friends. Her husband, Emil, her parents, one son, Gary, one granddaughter, Jodi Hatton and six brothers preceded her in death. Blessed be her memory.