Kenneth Koops
May 24, 1939 ~ April 22, 2017
Served by: Luce, Luze & Reck Funeral Homes
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Kenneth J. Koops, 77, of Gettysburg, passed away Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Avera Gettysburg Hospital.
Celebration of Life service was held at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, April 29, 2017 at the United Methodist Church, Gettysburg with Pastor Jeff Adel presiding.
A celebration of life is also being held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 13, 2017 at the United Methodist Church, Verdigre, NE with Pastor Trudy Hanke presiding. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Verdigre, NE.
Kenneth John Koops, son of Carl and Mary (Hansen) Koops, was born on May 24, 1939, on a farm northwest of Bloomfield, Neb. Growing up, Kenny attended North View rural school before moving to Bloomfield with his family in 1947. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in his hometown. Kenny graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1957. After graduation, Kenny farmed in the Lindy area and worked at the sale barn in Bloomfield.
Kenneth John Koops, son of Carl and Mary (Hansen) Koops, was born on May 24, 1939, on a farm northwest of Bloomfield, Neb. Growing up, Kenny attended North View rural school before moving to Bloomfield with his family in 1947. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in his hometown. Kenny graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1957. After graduation, Kenny farmed in the Lindy area and worked at the sale barn in Bloomfield.
On Aug. 20, 1961, Kenny was united in marriage to Evon McFarland at the Methodist church in Bloomfield. They moved to a farm east of Bloomfield where they made their home. To this union, three children were born, Brent, Lisa and Dana. In 1971, he purchased the sale barn in Verdigre, Neb., and operated the facility for 14 years. In 1984, he moved to Gettysburg, S.D., and purchased Potter County Livestock and operated the sale barn until the fall of 1998. Kenny delivered parts for NAPA, when needed, and began working for Foothills Contracting Inc. as a gravel checker shortly after leaving the sale barn. Kenny truly enjoyed his time working for Foothills and would often comment that he should have started working there as soon as he was out of high school. Kenny worked for Foothills until his diagnosis of cancer in late 2016.
Kenny enjoyed spending time with his family and friends; loved horse racing; and owned several race horses throughout his lifetime. He really enjoyed debating politics with anyone willing to join the discussion. He loved helping out at the farm with the livestock, going to livestock sales and visiting with all of the buyers. He was very proud of his grandchildren and great grandchildren and had many words of wisdom to help guide them through life. He would strike up a conversation with everyone he met and will be truly missed by everyone who knew him.
Kenny is survived by his wife of 56 years, Evon; son Brent (Tami Ellcey) of Gettysburg; daughters Lisa (Kevin Baumberger) of Gettysburg and Dana (Troy Maroney) of Brookings, S.D.; grandchildren, Stephanie (Steve Wenzl) of Milbank, S.D.; Joshua (Carissa) Koops of Huron, S.D.; Shaniah Koops of Vermillion, S.D.; Kylie Baumberger of Sioux Falls, S.D.; Halle and Jenna Maroney of Brookings; great grandchildren Siera Wenzl, Kale Wenzl, Colton Pell, and Noah Koops; brother Alfred (LuVerne) Koops of Bloomfield; and many nieces, nephews and extended family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Mary Koops, brother Melvin and his wife Evelyn Koops; sisters Henrietta and her husband Melvin Stewart; Elsie and her husband Elmer Moeller; Edna Mae and her husband Clyde Nelson; Dorothy and her husband Vernon Ziegler; grandson Lance Koops; nephews David Ziegler, Eugene Koops and Jeffrery Moeller; niece Linda Woods; and great niece Darci Stewart.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg, SD and Brockhaus Funeral Home of Verdigre, NE has been entrusted with Kenneth’s arrangements.
A Memorial Service was held on April 29, 2017 at 7:00 PM at United Methodist Church, 101 E Garfield Ave in Gettysburg, SD 57442
A Memorial Service was held on May 13, 2017 at 2:00 PM at United Methodist Church, 403 S 2nd St in Verdigre, NE 68783
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I am so sorry for your loss. You and your loved one’s will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Evon, Brent, Lisa, Dana & families- We would like to extend our sincere sympathies to you all during this difficult time. Kenny put up a good fight but take comfort in knowing that he is at peace now. He was an awesome been there, done that kind of guy. He always had a lot of stories to tell and no matter what he did there was always a lot of fun and laughs involved! The sale barn years are a chapter in my life that I will always remember and am so glad that I got to be a part of. I consider myself lucky to have known him. R.I.P. Koopo, you will be greatly missed.
We are thinking of you all during this difficult time. You will remain in our thoughts and prayers.
Hugs and prayers for you Lisa, Evon and Dana and families. I loved spending time at your house and at the sale barn growing up. God bless you and keep you in His care!
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. He will be missed God Bless you all but no more pain and suffering
Prayers for the family during this difficult time. No one can take away the precious months you had to prepare for your loss. Kenny was a fighter and kept everyone in good spirits during his months in the hospital. Love to all, Joyceeee
Evon and Family, We want to extend our deepest sympathy and we are keeping your family in prayer during this time of earthly sadness. Take comfort in the joys of Heaven and the rewards God has promised.
Our deepest sympathy to the family , he was a legend in his time.
Kenny was one of my favorite memories from Bloomfield High School. Kenny was a Senior and I was a Freshman. He always had a cheerful way about him. He helped many to become better. A Great Man.
Evon and family, Kenny Koops was always up for a good story, and him and I always had time to stop and visit for a short time. It was pretty much story time everytime we met. Kenny was a very special friend. Most of the time the first lier didn’t have a chance. Will miss our visits.
Evon and families, We are so sorry to hear of Kenny’s passing. We know that he and Lamont are in Heaven having a great chat like they did so many times here on Earth. We are sending our thoughts and prayers to you all! Jody & Cherie Hill and family