William "Bill" D. Koopman

George, IA

     William “Bill” D. Koopman, age 74 of George, IA died Thursday, January 17, 2019 at his home in George, IA.

     Funeral service will be 1:30 PM Monday, January 21, 2019 at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church in George, IA with Rev. John Pea officiating.  Burial with military honors will follow at Evergreen Lawn Cemetery in George, IA.

     Visitation will be Sunday, January 20^th from 4:00 – 7:00 PM with family present from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Jurrens Funeral Home of George.

     In lieu of flowers family wish memorials which will be directed at a later date.

     William David Koopman was born to Leroy Johnson & Edith (Covel) Koopman on June 19, 1944 in Minneapolis, MN. He attended school in Worthington, MN and graduated from Worthington High School in 1962.

     Bill served in the United States Army from 1962-65, stationed in Missouri, Alaska, and Texas. He was united in marriage to Janet Geerdes on February 16, 1966.  They were blessed with three girls – Tammy, Valarie, and Katie. Bill and Janet made their home in Sanborn, Ocheyedan, and George, Iowa.

     Bill worked at Campbell’s Soup Co., Sudenga Industries, Siebring Mfg, was Sanborn Police Chief, and Osceola County Deputy Sheriff.  He was the Water & Wastewater Superintendent for the City of George for 28 years. After retirement, Bill worked part-time as Captain of the Village Princess, maintenance at Village West Resort, and Orr’s Camp Winakawin at Lake Okoboji.  He was a member of the George American Legion – Jack Sauter Post 404 for 42 years, George Emergency Medical Service, Minnesota Goldwing Club, and served on the George City Council.

     Bill was an outdoorsman who loved to fish, hunt, camp, and share fish stories.  No matter the season you could find him enjoying the lake. His other hobbies included woodworking, riding the trails at the lake, spending time around the campfire with friends at the campground, and riding motorcycle.  Everyone that Bill met became a friend as he was always willing to lend a hand or share a cup of coffee. Bill had a special place in his heart for dogs and one could often be found at his side.

     Bill passed away at his home on January 17, 2019 after a courageous battle with lung cancer.  He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Janet, daughters Tammy (Scott) Heibult, Valarie (Jerry) Schoo, Katie Koopman and special friend Dean Rosenboom all of George, IA, grandchildren Ashley (Daniel) Delaney of Lake Park, IA, David Schoo of Mobridge, SD and special friend Vicki Hanline, Sean Heibult, Laura Heibult and special friend Evan Groen, Shelby Sprock and special friend David Gibson, Bailey (Brandon) Hoogendoorn, Seth Sprock, and Kailey Sprock all of George, IA, 4 great grandchildren Aiden & Trenten Gibson, Stella & Gerrit Hoogendoorn, sisters-in-law Carol Christians, Hazel (Joe) Martens, brother-in-law Silas (Maxine) Geerdes, half-sister Lynda (Gary) Curnow of Warrington, OR, half-sister Linda Kruger of Worthington, MN, half-brother Paul Koopman, Jr. of Vacaville, CA, mother Edith Koopman of Worthington, MN, many nieces and nephews, and his dog Sadie.

     He was preceded in death by his father Leroy Johnson, step-father Paul Koopman, half-sister Paulette Koopman (McKenna), half-brother Rocky Johnson, parents-in-law Theodore & Caroline Geerdes, granddaughter Krystal Schoo, brother-in-law Roger Christians, and many aunts and uncles.