Paul Andrew Neppel, age 94 years, died peacefully at his home in Spirit Lake, Iowa, on Friday, December 29, 2023. He is survived by his beloved wife of 72 years, Alice Caroline (Simon) Neppel, as well as children Paula (Herman) Richter of Milford, Iowa, Christine (Ron) Olney of Eden Prairie, Minnesota; Mark Neppel (Ann) of Dolliver, Iowa; Mary Alice McClelland (John) of McHenry, Illinois; and John Paul Neppel (Becky Morgan) of Oak Park, Illinois. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Irma and Irene, as well as brother Leo, and second daughter, Peggy (Neppel) Darrah. He leaves behind grandchildren Matt, Mia and Mark Richter, Hannah Olney (Jason) Schoneman and Beth Olney (Joe) Muggli, Michael Neppel and Julie Neppel (David) Lovell, Grace Vaziri (Christopher Sullivan), Grant Vaziri, Olivia, Ryan, Lucas, and Charlotte Neppel, as well as great-grandchildren Indigo and Aloria Schoneman, River and Rowan Muggli, and Ryder, Hazel and Graham Lovell. Also surviving are sisters-in-law Phyllis Neppel of Chatfield, Minnesota, Faith Simon of Sacramento, California, and numerous nieces, nephews.
Paul was known for his faith, his bold farming philosophy, his civic involvement, his athleticism and his love for his family and friends. Born November 24, 1929, on the farm near Estherville, Iowa, to Engelbert and Apollonia (Thelen) Neppel, Paul attended country grade school and graduated from Dolliver High School. After high school, Paul farmed in partnership with his father, attended community college in Estherville and dated Alice Simon. He joined the United States Air Force in September 1950, then, returning on leave, Paul and Alice married on April 19, 1951, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Armstrong, Iowa. The newlyweds were stationed in Ogden Utah, and then San Antonio, Texas, where they started their family. After his discharge as a Staff Sergeant in 1953, they returned to Northwest Iowa to farm on rented land near Estherville.
In 1965, Paul and Alice moved their family to their newly purchased farm west of Armstrong. Over the next 20 years, Paul built successful farming and livestock/cow-calf operations, served on numerous state and local boards, worked closely with state and national politicians, and was active in Rotary International, particularly in support of the foreign exchange program. Through the years, Paul received numerous acknowledgments for his leadership in embracing innovative agribusiness technologies including Farm Manager of the Year from Iowa State University Ag Business Club in 1973 and a Distinguished Service Award from Iowa Lake Community College Farm Foundation in 1988 for his support of the farming and wind turbine programs.
In 1982, Paul and Alice moved to the Iowa Great Lakes Area, ceding most day-to-day farm operations to their elder son, Mark. With farming deep in his veins, Paul played a supportive role working with Mark on crop production, cattle, and hog operations. He also orchestrated the construction of the first farmer-owned wind turbine in Iowa. Paul then became a farm and residential Realtor with the Stockdale agency in Okoboji, and to fill out any spare time, he and Alice traveled, played bridge, tennis, snow skied, and biked.
Paul loved Alice fiercely with all his heart through their 72 years of marriage, along with loving his six children, his 13 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and his horse Dolly, who was with him for more than 30 years. Always proud to call himself a cowboy, he was also proud of having served his country in the military.
Paul enjoyed being involved in his church community, first at St. Mary’s parish in Armstrong, then St. Mary’s parish in Spirit Lake, where he was involved with many ministries. He was most proud of his involvement with Father Albert Grendler and church leadership in the construction of the present church on Hill Avenue.
Vigil Service and Visitation are scheduled 5-7pm, January 1, 2024, at the Robinson Funeral Home, 2317 32nd St, Spirit Lake. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30am, January 2, 2024, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1005 Hill Avenue, Spirit Lake, Iowa, with Fr. Brian Hughes, and Fr. Paul Kelly officiating. The Rite of Committal, burial and luncheon will follow. Arrangements are under the direction of the Robinson Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Online condolences may be left at www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com.
The Neppel family would like to express their appreciation to the Veterans Affairs Health Care Team and the broader community for their love and support during this time of loss.
