Luverne Anne Prekker

Luverne Anne Prekker, age 90, longtime resident of Prior Lake, MN, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2025 at All Saints Senior Living in Shakopee, MN.

A Visitation will be held on Friday, April 18, 2025 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (4565 Pleasant St. SE) in Prior Lake. A Christian Funeral will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 11:00 AM with Visitation one hour prior at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Fish Lake (20200 Fairlawn Avenue) in Prior Lake. Rev. Dr. Brent Parrish will preside and Luverne will be laid to rest at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Colin Koppen, Keenan Koppen, Jack Johnson, Owen Prekker, Joe Eischens, Alexander Olson, and Blake Prekker (Honorary Pallbearer).

Luverne was born on June 20, 1934 in Spring Lake Township to Arthur and Verona (Kettelhon) Zaudtke and was raised as the eldest of five siblings. Luverne spent her childhood on the family farm, where she learned the value of hard work and dedication. Her early years were filled with chores, milking the cows, and tending the large family garden. It was on the farm that she developed her skills in baking and cooking, which would become lifelong passions.

Luverne graduated from Shakopee High School in 1952 and went on to work at the First National Bank of Shakopee. She then met her first husband, Francis X. Koppen, at a dance in Jordan, MN. They were united in marriage on December 1, 1956 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church and moved onto the Koppen family farm in New Market. Together, they were blessed with two sons, Michael and Marvin. Sadly, Francis passed away in October 1963 in a farm accident.

A few years later, Luverne was blessed to meet Melvin Prekker through a family connection. They united in marriage on May 20, 1967 at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Fish Lake. In their Prior Lake home, Luverne continued to nurture her family with love and care. She was blessed with three more children, Daniel, Randall, and Patricia. The family took trips up north many summers, renting a cabin and fishing.

Luverne's life was centered around her family. She enjoyed cooking and baking for them. The kids remember smelling cakes, cookies and pies baking when they came home from school. Thursdays were especially good because that was bread day. She also found great joy in spending time with her children and grandchildren. Her gatherings were filled with visiting, laughter, card games, and creating memories that will forever be cherished.

While her parents were still on the County Road 17 family farm, Luverne and the kids would help take care of the garden. It produced fresh vegetables and fruits for meals. Luverne was good at canning, so the freezer and shelves were stocked for the winter too. When the farm was sold, a smaller garden was tilled-up in the yard; she needed something to garden. In town, she also enjoyed growing flowers.

Luverne was an active member of the Fish Lake Immanuel community. She shared her faith and caring spirit by teaching religion classes, administering the nursery roll, and serving at church events. Her deep faith enabled her to lead and model a contented life.

Her legacy of hard work, dedication, and love will continue to inspire those who had the privilege of knowing her.

Luverne will be missed by her children, Michael F. (Cindy) Koppen, Marvin (Tammara) Koppen, Daniel Prekker, Randall (Wendy) Prekker, Patricia Johnson; grandchildren, Colin X. Koppen, Keenan M. Koppen, Joseph Eischens, Paige (Alexander Olson) Prekker, Owen Prekker, Ellicia Prekker, Blake Prekker, Jack Johnson, and Megan Johnson; great-grandchild, Willow Cooper; siblings, Hazel Kohout, Virginia Johnson, Arvilla Unzeitig, Arthur (Gerry) Zaudtke; and other loving family and friends.

She will be reunited in heaven with her husbands, Francis Koppen and Melvin Prekker; parents, Arthur and Verona Zaudtke; and brothers-in-law, Art Kohout and Raymond "Smiley" Johnson.