A memorial service was held for Julene Lupkes, age 74, of Winner, South Dakota on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at the Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory, South Dakota.
Interment was at Colome City Cemetery. Kotrba- Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Julene (Julie) was born on July 7, 1952, to Stanley Pitsenberger and Blanche (Hillers) Taylor in Flandreau, SD. She was the youngest of her siblings. She spent her early years living in Flandreau, SD with her parents Jonah and Blanche Taylor until her mother passed away in 1962. After her mother’s passing, she moved to Winner, SD with her father Stanley. Julie went to high school in Winner until she was involved in a car accident. Despite being hospitalized for several months, she finished her schooling and then moved to Omaha, NE so she could attend beauty school. During beauty school, she drove taxi. Julie loved to tell stories of the times she was a taxi driver.
Julie met and married John Kaupp in 1975. They had four children together: Stacia, Dana, Erika, and Shana. They lived in Gregory, SD until their house burned down in 1987. After their house burned, they moved to Colome, SD. When her children were younger, she loved to play bingo, put together puzzles, and play board games. Yahtzee was one of her favorite games to play.
Julie later went through a divorce and moved back to Flandreau, SD to be around her family. She remarried later in her life Dennis Lupkes in 1997. Dennis and Julie gave birth to Chelsea. After Chelsea was born, she moved back to Colome, SD.
In Julie’s pursuit of her bachelor’s degree, she attended college at both Sinte Gleska University and SDSU. Many times you could find her on the Dean’s list. She worked at several jobs during her life including: South Central Adjustment Training Center, Colome School as a bus driver, Ramada Central Reservations, Super 8 Hotel, Elder Inn, and her last job was working at home for a call center selling warranties. Julie had her share of heartaches including the loss of two of her children and one of her great grandchildren. Going through these trials strengthened her faith in God. Despite her hardships, she remained a strong woman. When her health started declining, she kept doing things for her family including baking them her favorites foods (especially special diabetic versions.) She loved to visit her friends and family, and she kept a small garden to keep her busy.
Julene Rae Pitsenberger, age 74, of Colome, SD, passed away on Monday, August 24, 2026.
Julie is survived by children: Stacia (Jason) Paulson, Colome; Dana Ellwanger, Flandreau; Chelsea (Andrew Bobeldyke), Huron; ten grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.
Julie was preceded in death by her parents, children Erika and Shana, great grandson Colten Bobeldyke, brothers Charles (Chucky) Taylor and Conrad Rederth, and sisters Charlene Kokesh and Shelia Taylor.
