Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Louis 'Louie' Eppolite

BYRON, Minn. — Louis “Louie” Eppolite, 86, of Byron, died at home Tuesday, June 4, 2013, with his family at his side.

Louie was born Feb. 26, 1927, in Bessemer, Mich., to Arnold and Mary (Magnaghetti) Eppolite. He grew up in Yale Location of Bessemer. He served in the U.S. Army from October 1945 to October 1946 with an honorable discharge.

Louie worked at the Carey Iron Ore Mine in the Bessemer area. He married Beverly Gerry on June 5, 1948. In 1958 they moved to Tucson, Ariz., where he managed a CircleK convenience store. After a year they moved to Rochester, where Louie worked at Osco Drugs until 1960 when he was hired by Mayo Clinic. There he was known by many as The Top Wop. He retired from there in 1989.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Rochester. Louie had been a scout leader and foster parent and had been active in the VFW. He loved finishing antique furniture and caning chairs. Most of all, Louie loved to escape to favorite trout fishing spots in southeast Minnesota.

Louie is survived by his wife, Beverly, who nursed him well in his last two years; his daughter, Margaret Hedberg, of Dodge Center; his son, Jeff (Carol) Eppolite, of Cannon Falls; grandchildren, Aaron (Heather) Eppolite, of Minneapolis, Sissy Eppolite, of Kasson, Brandon Hedberg, of Dodge Center, Garion (Meghan) Eppolite, of Rochester, AriOnna Eppolite, of Byron, Freda Eppolite, of Cannon Falls, and Gabriel Eppolite, of Cannon Falls; great-grandchildren, Heather and Dani Caswell, of Kasson, and Da’Kwon, James, Angalee, Garion Jr., Aubryana and Gabrion, all of Rochester; his brother, Bernardo, of Tucson; his brother-in-law, Johnny (Peggy) Gerry, of Hurley, Wis .; and his sister-in-law, Joyce (Curt) Rice, of La Crosse, Wis.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Hugo, Charles, Vincent and Franco; sisters-in-law, Doreen Helig and Dolly Schimke; and brother-in-law, Bobby Gerry.

The memorial service for Louie will be held at noon on Saturday, June 8, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home in Rochester.

Friends and family may visit one hour prior to the service on Saturday at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home, Rochester.

Burial will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes have been entrusted with arrangements. Visit them online at ranfranzandvinefh.com.

 
 
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