After a life of love and quiet grace, Al Hepner, 78, has passed.
These few paragraphs cannot hold a life, but they may carry a memory.
The story begins in 1942, with the arrival of a life that would be cherished by many.
Al spent his working life as ['New York Life Insurance'] — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew him best.
The bonds of those who served beside him are bonds that time does not loosen.
Al Hepner, 78 of Monroe died Friday, November 20, 2020 at the Sanford USD Medical Center, Sioux Falls. Funeral services will be 2:00pm Saturday, November 28, 2020 at Calvary Reformed Church, Monroe, SD with burial with military honors at the Monroe Cemetery. Due to Covid 19, the family request that guest wear a mask and practice social distancing to celebrate Al's life. The family invites the public to listen to the funeral service on Saturday locally on 87.9 FM radio or watch at http://fb.me/CalvaryReformedMonroe . Arrangements by Hofmeister Jones Funeral Home. Allan Burton Hepner was born on October 17, 1942 at Mitchell, SD to Willard and Lucille Hepner. The family moved to Wisconsin where he graduated from Sun Prairie High School, Sun Prairie, WI in 1961. He served in the US Navy for 4 ½ years, having been stationed in Hawaii and Japan. On November 30, 1974 he was united in marriage to Sue Jaqua Christiansen in Sioux Falls. Over the years he had been employed by New York Life Insurance, EROS Data Center, US Bureau of Reclamation, Hepner Plumbing and Heating, and Citi Bank for 21 years, retiring in 2001. After retirement he worked at the Tieszen Memorial Home where he loved the residents and made many longtime friends. Al loved anything related to space, reading, his favorites were westerns by Louis L'Amore, which he read over and over, watching movies, music and mostly spending time with family and friends. He cherished the times with our Calvary Cell Group. Al was a huge, huge animal lover and never met an animal that he didn't love and that didn't love him. Al always said he hoped God would let him tend the animals when he got to heaven. Currently he leaves behind his cats, Junior, Jasper and Hudson and many, many more that have passed. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Sue; 3 children, Chad (Kristine) Christiansen, Jarrod (Jeanna) Christiansen and Nicol (Thad) Mooney; 7 grandchildren, Megan Christiansen, Sean Christiansen, Ryan Christiansen, Sara Christiansen, Brycelin Mooney, Jaxson Mooney, and Emma Mooney; 3 brothers, Curt (Myrene) Hepner, Steve (LeAnn) Hepner and Tom (Kate) Hepner; 4 sisters, Karen (Rudy) Knappemeyer, Lyla Phelps, Eunice (Manny) Rodriquez and Jackie (Bob) Lichtenstein; 2 sisters in law, Sandy Getskow and Jane Hepner; and many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, sister and brother in law, Mary and Joe Monti, and a niece Amy Monti. Al liked to be comfortable and hated to dress up after years of white shirts and ties at Citi Bank, he request everyone dress in jeans and a favorite shirt. He is being buried in his jeans and most favorite red/black buffalo plaid shirt. In lieu of flowers memorials maybe directed to your local Humane Society/Animal Rescue or charity of your choice.
