Harriet E. Kappelman

Harriet E. Kappelman, age 94, of 2933 Berringer Road, Two Rivers, died Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at Aurora Medical Center in Two Rivers.

Harriet was born on September 19, 1930 in the Town of Eaton, Manitowoc County, daughter of the late Roland F. Westphalen and Thekla Rose (Schmitt) Westphalen. She was born again as a child of God through Holy Baptism on April 26th, 1931. Harriet attended Elder Grove grade school and graduated from Kiel High School in 1948 where she was named to the Honor Roll. In 1950 she graduated from Sheboygan Falls County Normal School with a certificate to teach in rural schools. She went on to teach for four years in Manitowoc County schools and later in life worked for ten years as a librarian at Manitowoc Lutheran High School.

On March 1st, 1953 Harriet was united in marriage to Karl F. Kappelman in Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church, Kiel, WI. They farmed in partnership with Karl’s father, William C. Kappelman and his brother, William J. Kappelman as part of Pine Garden Farms, a potato and dairy operation. Later, as the businesses grew, Karl and Harriet took the dairy part of the business and established Meadow Brook Dairy Farms which was named after the former school which is located on the farm.

During Harriet and Karl’s farming career they hosted many farm trainees from Europe as they learned farming practices and shared cultural experiences while living and working with the family.

Harriet was a member of the Ladies Aid group and taught Sunday School while the family attended Rockwood Ev. Lutheran Church. She was also active with the Ladies of Immanuel service group later on while attending Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church in Manitowoc. She was the general leader for the Kossuth Challengers 4-H Club for many years, also serving as the sewing leader, helping many young 4-H members develop their sewing skills. She also participated in many cooperative and farm organization meetings along with Karl throughout the years.

Survivors include their children: John (Chris) Kappelman, Eagle River, WI; Carla (Dennis) Mastin, Limon, CO; David (Patty) Kappelman, Francis Creek, WI; Kathy Kappelman, Manitowoc, WI, Peter (Shellie) Kappelman, Two Rivers, WI; Sarah (Robert) Frey, Tampa, FL; and Robert (Rachel) Kappelman, Deerbrook, WI. She is also survived by 20 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, two sisters: Evelyn Zeman, Racine, WI and Virginia (Donald) Dickrell, Green Bay, WI and one sister-in-law, Ellie Westphalen, Plymouth, WI. She was preceded in death by her husband, Karl, her parents, brothers Wilbur and Allen Westphalen, sisters Romilda Heinen and Armella Sabell, and one grandson, Nicholas Kappelman.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church, 916 Pine Street, Manitowoc on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. Officiating the service will be Pastor Paul Bowe. Burial will follow at Knollwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at the church and continue Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church or Manitowoc Lutheran High School. The Reinbold & Pfeffer Family Funeral Home of Manitowoc is assisting the Kappelman family with funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com

The family would like to express thanks to the medical staff of Aurora Medical Center – Manitowoc County, the Aurora Hospice Team and the staff at Felician Village for their thoughtful care and assistance.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Harriet E. Kappelman, please visit our floral store.