Grace Schepman

Grace Johanna Schepman

Age 90, Grace Johanna Schepman of Cupertino, CA died on November 9, 2021. She was preceded in death by her parents Lydia and Karl Koepchen, husband Berne, brother Paul, daughter Ruth and granddaughter Tiffany.

Grace was born in Elizabeth, NJ on February 11, 1931. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church where her uncle, Reverend Henry Koepchen, was the pastor. She completed elementary and high school in Elizabeth and attended Concordia College in Bronxville, NY for one year, then enrolled at NJ State Teacher's College (now Kean University), from which she graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1952.

Grace taught second grade in Elizabeth and met her future husband, Berne Schepman, at St. Luke's where they were married in June 1952. Their first child, Ruth, was born in 1953, their son, Stephen in1955 and their second daughter, Carolyn in 1957. Grace was a happy and dedicated mother, handling most of the parental duties as Berne traveled extensively for work.

Grace was a gifted musician, playing piano and organ in the home and at church and singing alto in various choral groups throughout her life. She was active in all aspects of the Lutheran churches in which she was a member. When the children were in high school, she began serving a 35-year term as a volunteer at the Stanford University Medical Hospital. In July 2008, Grace and Berne moved to the Forum, a senior residence in Cupertino, CA.

Grace will always be remembered as a gracious, kind and loving wife, mother, sister and grandmother. Her sense of humor lightened all of our lives and she will be in our hearts forever.