Juliann Koble passed away on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at CHI, St. Alexius Health, Devils Lake Hospital, at the age of 80.
Visitation was at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, N.D., on Monday, April 7, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a rosary and scripture service at 7 p.m. The scripture service was led by Juliann’s nephew, Deacon Mohn Koble.
Mass of Christian burial was on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake, with burial in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Fellowship was followed at the KC Hall.
Juliann was born on June 20, 1944, in Minot, N.D., the daughter of John and Gertrude (Schneider) Thomas. She grew up in Karlsruhe, N.D., graduating from Karlsruhe High School with the class of 1962. After graduating, Juliann worked as a switchboard operator at Bell Telephone in Minot.
Juliann was united in marriage to LeRoy Koble on April 4, 1964, in Karlsruhe. They made a beautiful home of love, laughter, and faith in good times and times of trial and raising their four children. They were only three days short of 61 years of marriage.
After marriage, they lived for a time in Orrin, N.D., then moved to Minot, N.D., where they began their family. In 1971, the family moved to Devils Lake and called it home the rest of their life.
Juliann’s priority was always that of a devoted wife and loving mother and grandmother. She did operate a daycare out of her home for many years and was such a special person in the lives of the children in her care and their parents. She worked for Old Dutch in merchandising, and before retiring, she stocked Hallmark cards at Wally’s.
Juliann had such a spirit of giving of time to her church and community. She was an active member of St. Joseph Church and St. Catherine’s Circle. She was available to help usher at the 7:30 a.m. Mass each Sunday for many years. She and LeRoy served as Mass collection counters and volunteered countless hours to the KC Club and to the many events and activities held there.
Juliann had so many talents and gifts. She always had a large garden, canning and sharing the produce with family and friends was so important to her. She was a talented cook and baker, and her homemade buns were always requested by family at any special gatherings. Juliann always was reading a book or two at the same time, working on a jigsaw puzzle, or making jean quilts. She was a “Wheel of Fortune” fan and was part of the Cedar Inn and Hardee’s Coffee Club. She was dedicated to the Corporal Work of Mercy, caring for the deceased as she and LeRoy cared for family and friends graves in numerous cemeteries in North Dakota.
Juliann’s kind, caring, positive, and loving demeanor drew her to so many people. She had such special old friends and made new ones with her welcoming smile. Juliann’s family meant the world to her. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were truly treasured, and spending time with them brought her so much joy.
Juliann, forever loved, forever missed, forever in our hearts. Well done, good and faithful servant. Matthew 25:23.
Juliann’s loving family include her husband LeRoy; children Gerald (Denise) Koble, Mosinee, Wis., Victor (Carla) Koble, Madisonville, Ky., Bonita (LeRoy) Kuntz, Thompson, N.D., and Jerome (Mary) Koble, Fargo N.D.; grandchildren Jaci (Nick) Brock: Jamie Mercil: Mariah Kuntz and Cody (Jaycee) Kuntz: Elizabeth Koble; nine great grandchildren; siblings Irene Koble, Minot, Isabelle Trembinski, Mesa, Ariz., Martha (Larry) Keller, Hazen, N.D., and Kathy (Gene) Repnow, also of Mesa; in-laws Albertina Berg, Minneapolis, Minn., Diane (Terry) Olson, Grand Forks, N.D., Shirley (Dennis) Rost, Hazen and Craig Hansen; many precious nieces, nephews and their families.
She was welcomed home by her Lord and Savior, her parents, brothers Gerald, Dan, and Richard Thomas, sister Delores Hansen, in-laws Walter and Barbara Koble, brothers-in-law Jim Koble, Adam Koble, Don Berg, and Ski Trembinski, sisters-in-law Von Thomas and Mickie Thomas.
