Faye Pepin

Faye Marie Pepin of Motley, age 88, passed away with her husband Verde at her side, at the Lakewood Care Center in Staples, MN on November 2, 2021. The service will be Thursday November 11, 2021 at the Motley United Methodist Church in Motley, MN at 11:00am. Visitation will be on Wednesday November 10, 2021 from 5:00 – 7:00pm at Brenny Family Funeral Chapel in Staples, and at the church one hour prior to the service on Thursday.

Faye was born on January 12, 1933 at the family farm just outside of the town of Glidden, Iowa. She was the third of four girls born to Charles and Evelyn Sylvester. During her first marriage, five boys were born – sons David, John, Phillip, Paul, and Peter.  On June 10, 1979, she married Verde Pepin at their farm home on the Crow Wing River near Motley, they shared 42 happy years together.

She graduated from Glidden School, in Glidden, Iowa, and received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota on June 9, 1978. Faye taught Home Economics class in Motley for several years, and part time in Pillager.  Faye was presented with an Honorary Award from the local FFA Chapter while teaching at Motley school.  Over the years, she and Verde hosted four exchange students from around the world.

Faye was actively involved with the Motley Historical Society, the Morrison County Historical Society, the Motley F H A, and the food shelf for many years. Faye served as the town clerk for Motley township for 32 years.  She was a member of the Motley Methodist Church, and very active in church activities until her health started to fail about eight years ago.

She enjoyed sewing in her sewing room, knitting, and spinning wool on her spinning wheel. She was an exceptional cook and enjoyed preparing meals for family gatherings, and having a delicious, hot meal ready for her husband at the end of a long day.

She often spoke of how she enjoyed life on the farm and spent many enjoyable hours taking care of her large yard with several flower beds, a goldfish pond, and a well-kept family garden. She enjoyed the many birds who visited the beautiful yard and participated in several Audubon Society Christmas Bird Counts. Faye and Verde were active members of the Nash and Studebaker Car Clubs and traveled around the United States to participate in National and Regional club meetings/conventions.

Faye is survived her husband, Verde, sons David (Lo-line), John (Mindy), Philip (Marsha), Paul (Melinda), and Peter (Jane), two step-daughters Cindy Anderson and Kimberly Pepin, eleven grand-children, sisters Ruth (Jim) Jones and Peggy (Randy) Cox, sister in-law Nancy (Syd) Kjeldahl and brother in-law Randy (Linda) Pepin, and many nieces and nephews.

Faye is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Evelyn Sylvester and one sister, Patty Bronner.

From her Sons: We deeply appreciate the kind, gentle and loving care Faye received from Verde when she needed that.

The family also wants to Thank the Lakewood Health Care System for the exemplary care they provided to Faye as well as the amazing support from the community she was part of for so many years.