Obituary

Nola Jean Hepker, 69, of Bellingham, Washington, and formerly of Maquoketa, passed away Aug. 12, 2020.

In honoring her request, no services were held. Cremation rites have been accorded.

Nola Jean was born June 21, 1951, to Orval and Nola Ruth (Widel)  Hinz of Elwood. Nola Jean graduated in 1969 from Delwood High School.

Nola and her husband and best friend, Robert Leroy Hepker, were married June 10, 1970, at the old Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Maquoketa and were blessed to celebrate 50 years of marriage earlier this year.

Nola was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She was fiercely devoted to her family and lived her life as an expression of that devotion. She was kind, thoughtful, compassionate, honest, resilient, sassy, and always had the best advice.

Nola was a crafter extraordinaire her whole life, and she could sew anything from baby clothes to quilts. She cross-stitched, knitted, embroidered, tatted, and crocheted. She was also an avid and life-long reader.

In 2013 she suffered a stroke and slowly lost her vision, but we were blessed to enjoy 7 more years with our beloved Nola. She continued to crochet afghans for family and friends up until the week before her death.

Nola is survived by her devoted husband of 50 years, Robert, her daughters, Theresa, Cathi (Hud Hudson), and Cheri, and her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her son, Joseph Robert Hepker, and we share her belief that they have been reunited.