James Keiper

SERVICE INFORMATION UPDATE

A public visitation, without the family present, will be held from 3 PM until 5 PM on Friday, April 23, 2021, at the Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home, 376 East Sarnia Street, Winona.

Funeral services will be held privately for his family.  Jim will be laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery in Winona, where the American Legion Leon J. Wetzel Post 9 of Winona will provide military honors.

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James Lewis Keiper, 74, of Dresbach, MN, passed away peacefully at their winter home in Florida on February 10, 2021.

James was born to Cleo and Bernice (Blumentritt) Keiper in Winona, MN, on December 28, 1946.  He married Margaret Chapin on March 16, 1968, and together they had two children James C. and Tamera Keiper.  He later married Karen (Wilson) Rockman on June 14, 1986 in Luverne, MN, and they currently live in Dresbach, MN and winter in LeHigh Acres, FL.

James honorably served his country for 14 years in the Minnesota National Guard.

James was a member of the Alpha-Phi-Omega Fraternity and graduated from Winona State College in 1969.  He taught Industrial Arts at the Luverne High School in Luverne, MN, and he owned his own cabinet shop. He enjoyed woodworking, collecting and polishing rocks, fishing and hunting.  He was a member of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Onalaska, WI, and Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fort Myers, FL.

James is survived by his wife of 34 years, Karen; son: James C. (Carla) and daughter: Tamera Keiper; grandchildren: Mariah Gronseth (Dillon), Chelsie Keiper (Fiancée: Zachary Hoeper), Nathan Keiper, and Brian Keiper; great-granddaughter: Eira Gronseth; step-children: Jodi Nasers (Joseph), Todd Rockman (Trisha) and Daren Rockman; step-grandchildren: Jeffrey Nasers, Justin Nasers (Danielle), Jessica Loerts (Jordan) and Jacob Nasers, Kade Rockman, Ruby Rockman, Riley Rockman, Hunter Rockman and Gannon Rockman; step-great-grandchildren: McKinley and Caysen Loerts; uncles: Kenneth (Rhoda) Keiper and David (Darlene) Keiper; as well as many cousins.  He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; and uncles: George, August, Eugene and Vernon.

In lieu of flowers memorials will be given to St. Jude's Children Hospital.

Online condolences or memories may be left at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.

Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.