Judee K. Epstein, 85, of Sioux Falls, died Thursday, September 9, 2004 at Avera McKennan Hospital. Judee Koplow was born October 17, 1918 to Myer and Fannie (Schiller) Koplow in Sioux Falls, SD. She received her education in Sioux Falls, graduating from Washington High School in 1937. Following high school, Judee attended Sioux Falls College and graduated from Miss Woods School for Girls in 1940 with a BS degree in education. During World War II, Judee was a radio instructor at the Sioux Falls Army Air Corp Base. It was while working there, that she met Sidney Epstein in June of 1943. Sidney and Judee were united in marriage on January 23, 1944 in Orange, NJ. Throughout her life, Judee was a very active member of the Sioux Falls community. She was a member of Mt. Zion Temple and the Mt. Zion Sisterhood. She was also a member of the El Riad Shrine Auxiliary and the Elks Club. Judee was past president of several organizations, including the McKennan Hospital Auxiliary, Westward Ho Women's Bowling Team, Tertia Toastmistress, the DeMolay Mother's Club, the Sioux Falls Playhouse Auxiliary, the Sioux Falls Lioness Club (of which she was a charter member), and the State Heart Association. Judee was twice past president of the Sioux Falls Chapter of Hadassah; a past Queen of the Daughters of the Nile, and a member of Eastern Star. She was an honorary member of the Sioux Falls Italian Club, a charter member of Westward Ho Country Club, and a member of the Center for Active Generations. She was also a member of AARP. For 10 years, Judee was the reservations chairman for the Avera McKennan Charity Ball. Judee taught in the Sioux Falls Public School System from 1940 to 1942. She taught at Irving, Whittier and Mark Twain Schools, and later worked in adult education with Lincoln and Washington High Schools, where she taught gourmet cooking classes. Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Sidney, of Sioux Falls; one son, Henry L. Epstein and his wife, Clarice E., of Leawood, KS; two daughters, Robi A. Damyan and her husband, Paul, and Barbara Epstein, both of St. Louis, MO; her grandchildren, Teri E. Bretz and her husband, Jason, Michael T. Epstein, Trevor E. Damyan, Martin E. Damyan and Sara E. Damyan; and one great granddaughter, Halle G. Bretz. Judee was preceded in death by her parents, Myer and Fannie Koplow; one brother, George Koplow; and one sister, Esther Kominers. Funeral services will be 11:00 am Sunday, September 12, 2004 at Miller Funeral Home, Main Avenue location. Interment will be in Sons of Israel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association, or the Daughters of the Nile.