Vera Lupkes

Vera Lupkes, 96, of Grundy Center, passed away on Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at the Grundy County Memorial Hospital Long Term Care Unit in Grundy Center. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 27th at 10:30 at the Bethany Presbyterian Church, 315 G Avenue, Grundy Center, with visitation to be held one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Burial will follow services at the Rosehill Cemetery in Grundy Center. Memorials may be directed to the family where they will donate to a local charity at a later date.


Vera was born on November 20, 1917 in Grundy County, Iowa, the daughter of John & Rachel (Smidt) Raske. She attended country school through the 8th grade, later attending the Grundy Center High School. Vera was united in marriage to Herman Lupkes on August 11, 1942 in Grundy County. The couple farmed near Holland until 1952, when they moved to Grundy Center. They welcomed a son and daughter into their family.

Vera did volunteer work at the Grundy Community Center and the Grundy County Memorial Hospital Long Term Care Unit for many years. She was a Sunday school teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, had served as a church Deacon and was also the church janitor at Bethany Presbyterian for 27 years. She had also served as UPW Treasurer for 3 terms. She enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as gardening and flowers.

She is survived by her children Lorraine (Larry) Tonn of Cedar Falls, IA & Gordon (Kathy) Lupkes of Albion, IA; 4 grandchildren Dana (Scott) Dinderman, Corey (Michelle Martin) Tonn, Mike Lupkes & Joleen (Chuck) Weller and 8 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Herman; 4 brothers Henry, Richard, John & Albert Raske and her 3 sisters Lena Grimmius, Grace Huisman & Bena Mudderman-Bird; several nieces and nephews.