Obituary for Loretta Kaupke

Loretta Kaupke

May 6, 1923 – December 5, 2020

Loretta Kaupke formerly of Braman, Oklahoma, passed from this life on December 5, 2020 in El Reno, Oklahoma at the age of 97 years.

Loretta Mae Provolt was born in Ames, Oklahoma on May 6, 1923 to Millard and Velva (Hedges) Provolt.

The family moved to a farm southwest of Drummond in 1929 where she attended school for eight years at Del Norte Country School. She attended high school in Drummond, Oklahoma her freshman, junior and senior years, while attending Enid High her sophomore year. After graduation, she worked for her Uncle Harold Hedges while living with her grandmother, Lottie Hedges.

Loretta and Robert Lee “Bob” Kaupke were married on June 8, 1943 by the Rev. F.W. West in his home in Drummond.

Bob and Loretta lived in Roswell, New Mexico for 2 ½ years while Bob was in the Air Force. They moved back to Drummond for 9 months before moving to a farm North of Braman, Oklahoma, which was their long-time home.

Loretta became a member of The Church of the Brethren at an early age. After moving to Braman she became a member of the First Christian Church where she played the piano and the organ until the church closed in 2011. She then started playing the organ at the Braman Methodist Church.

Loretta enjoyed many hobbies over the years. She sold Minnesota Woolens clothing at home parties and later sold Sara Coventry jewelry. She owned and operated a gift shop for 14 years. She was a member of the Christian Womens Fellowship and was a volunteer at the Blackwell Hospital Auxiliary where she worked in the gift shop. She also enjoyed spending time with her cousins at their annual reunions.

Bob and Loretta spent many winter months in Port Isabel and Padre Island where they enjoyed fishing the Gulf of Mexico, and spending time with friends and relatives.

Due to failing health, Loretta moved to Kingfisher, Oklahoma in March of 2017 to an assisted living facility. She moved to the nursing home in El Reno, Oklahoma in January of 2020

Loretta is survived by her children, Jana and Vernon Whitnah, Charles and Darlene Kaupke; grandchildren, Christina and David Kieffer, Lee Whitnah, Clark and Callie Kaupke, and Marsha and Chuck Martin; great-grandchildren, Samuel and Jason Kieffer, Trevor Whitnah and Kenzie and Kaedyn Kaupke. She is also survived by brother-in-law and sister-in-law Fred and Dovie Kaupke, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bob; sister and brother-in-law Helen and Winston Long; and nephew, Galen Long; brother and sister-in-law Gene and Mary Provolt; brother-in-law and sister-in-law John and Ruby Beckner and nephew Jim Beckner; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Don and Eva McClanahan and many cousins.

Private family services will be held at Del Norte Cemetery in Drummond, Oklahoma.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Oklahoma Chapter, 2448 E. 81st St., Suite 3000, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74137.