Gilbert Ellis Roepe, 81, of Concordia, passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2026 at NorthCare Hospice House in North Kansas City, Mo.

Gilbert was born on Aug. 9, 1944, in Waverly, and was the eldest son of Roy and Leona (Schmidt) Roepe. Gilbert was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waverly in 1944.

He grew up in rural Corder and attended Corder High School, graduating in 1962.

He married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ann Martin, on May 15, 1965. They lived in rural Alma for the first few years, moving to Concordia in 1970.

Over the years, Gilbert worked for the Alma Farmers Co-Op, MODOT, Kammeyer Electric, Beerman Heating & Cooling and local farmers and doing handyman services. Gilbert also served in the Concordia Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter.

Gilbert is survived by his wife, Mary Roepe of the home;two sons: Brett Roepe (Carla) of Concordia and Brad Roepe (Judith) of Emma; one daughter, Allison Roepe Rankin (Matthew) of Concordia; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and one on the way; one brother, Rodney Roepe (Carol) of Alma; as well as extended family.

Gilbert was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Doug Roepe.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Concordia with Pastor Michael Pottschmidt and Pastor Andrew Lehenbauer officiating. Burial followed in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Alma.

Memorials are suggested to St. Paul’s Lutheran Elementary School, Saint Paul Lutheran High School or Concordia Fire Department in care of Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com