Francis J. Poepl

"The Vermillion Banker", age 95, passed away peacefully on Jan. 11 in Hastings, MN surrounded by his family. Rusty was born in New Market, MN March 25, 1912 to Martin and Elizabeth (Kaufenberg) Poepl. The red haired freckle faced young man began a sales career after 8th grade selling meat from farm site to farm site. In 1931 at the age of 19 he began a banking career at the 1st State Bank of Rosemount. January 1, 1935 using his only form of transportation, he hitchhiked to Vermillion and began a 73 year career as President of the Vermillion State Bank. He began in the midst of the Great Depression by making loans to customers desperate for working capital if he determined they were honest and hard working. Government regulated origination fees, income verifications, and appraisals like those associated with Sub Prime lending were not yet invented. His style led to long term prosperity for the surrounding farm community. Rusty is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Jane (Fasbender) Poepl; children Mary Frances (Don) Spartz, Susan J. Poepl, John F. (Mary Pat) Poepl, Jeanne A. Poepl; grandchildren Anne M. Spartz, John M. Spartz, Jim Poepl, Jake Poepl Matt Poepl. The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM Tuesday, January 15th, 2008 at ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2035 W. 15th St., Hastings. Private family interment will take place in St. John's Cemetery in Vermillion. Visitation will be held from 4-8 PM Monday at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church IN MOTHER SETON HALL-(Please use the west entrance)- and also 1 Hr. prior to service on Tuesday. Family requests donations in lieu of flowers be made to Saint Damian�s Children Hospital, Port a Prince, Haiti c/o Vermillion State Bank, Vermillion, MN