West Okoboji Harbor. Photo by Tom Gustafson.

Developer “Augy” Scheppmann passes away, leaving behind a legacy of big change

Augy Scheppmann, a longtime developer and friend of ours, passed away on Tuesday, June 27. Augy never missed a day of work. Even at 88, he had more real estate development projects underway than many half his age.

He was kind, humble and highly respected by his peers. His ideas and visions resonated into local landmarks, attracting families and businesses to the area.

Augy grew up in Okabena, MN. After serving in the Air Force in the early 1950s, he went to work with his father who had been running a small construction business since 1900.

Augy was involved in countless development projects; as the sole developer, in partnership with another company or as a project manager. He contributed his success to his partners – not only to the builders but to municipal partners like the City of Spirit Lake that provide assistance with infrastructure including streets, sewers and water.

West Okoboji Harbor

One of Augy’s early and most recognizable development projects took place in the 1960s. The West Okoboij Harbor was a partnership with the Nodland family. Augy did the design work and construction, and the Nodlands handled the real estate.

Since then, Scheppmann Companies have completed projects in six Midwest states as well as Arkansas, Texas, Arizona and Pennsylvania. “It’s something I love doing. I’ve done it all my life.”

Augy left his mark, transforming thousands of acres into master-planned communities. But, the mark that’s most noticeable is the mark he left in our hearts. Augy will be greatly missed!

Augy’s projects include:

• Alton – residential development
• Crest View – residential development
• West Bay Estates, Lake Park – Project Manager, 3,000 ft. lakeshore development
• Sherwood Acres, Okabena, MN – 1^st residential development in Okabena
• Arthur Heights, East Lake Okoboji – ¼ mile lak shore de-residential development
• West Okoboji Harbor – inland harbor development on West Lake Okoboji
• Pointe of Pines, Spirit Lake – residential development
• Southern Glen, Spirit Lake – 80 acre residential development
• Southern Hills, Spirit Lake – 80 acre affordable housing residential development
• Apple Orchard, Vick’s Corner, Spirit Lake – 7,000 apple tree orchard
• Oak Ridge Landing, Loon Lake - 3,000 ft. lakeshore development
• Red Lake, MN – residential development
• 17 Oaks – East Lake Okoboji Condominiums
• Indian Ridge Townhomes, Indian Hills Golf Course, Spirit Lake
• Eastwood Estates, Spirit Lake
• Pleasant Lake – residential development
• Lakes Business Park, Spirit Lake
• KUOO Site and Commercial Development, Spirit Lake
• Spencer Industrial Park
• Silver Shores on Silver Lake, Lake Park – 3,000 ft. lakeshore residential and commercial development
• Union Street and Viking Avenue, Spirit Lake – residential lots
• North End, Spirit Lake – lakeshore development
• Rockport, Emmetsburg – residential lakeshore development
• Stoneybrook, Spencer – residential golf course development with clubhouse and pool
• Piccadilly Apartments, Spirit Lake – 24 Rental Units
• Gerk’s Restort – 800 ft. on West Lake Okoboji
• First Lutheran Church Prayer Garden, Milford
• Okabena Bell
• Dawson Bank Building
• Lost Island Lake Project, Ruthven
• Lutheran Retreat Center, Carefree, AZ
• Pope and Talbot, Wilksbar, PA – commercial industrial building
• Sathers, Pitstons, PA – commercial industrial building
• Spirit Lake Baseball Field Renovation
• Arkansas Nursery
• Arkansas Farming Operation
• Hendrix College, Arkansas
• Red Lake Development with Lloyd Kruse
• Master-planned golf course community, McAllen, TX
• Fairway, Inc. Golf Course developments, Denver, CO
• KS & B Construction Co.
• Northern Log Homes
• K & S – Kruse and Scheppmann – Valley View
• Spec Homes in Spirit Lake, IA, Mesa and Phoenix, AZ, McAllen, TX and the Midwest
• Farmland, horses, cattle and sheep, Okabena, MN and Conway, AR

Augy was an integral part of the Spirit Lake baseball field renovation.

Eastwood Estates Entrance

Indian Ridge Entrance

First Lutheran Church Entrance

First Lutheran Church 

Lake Business Park

Oak Ridge Entrance

Oak Ridge View

Park Place View

Silver Shores Entrance

Silver Shores Aerial View

Silver Shores View

Pointe of Pines Entrance

Pointe of Pines Aerial View

Rockport Entrance

Southern Glen Entrance

West Bay Entrance