Lester Koopmann

Lester John Koopmann, 90, of Little Falls passed away September 8, 2016 at  Central Minnesota Senior Care in Little Falls.

Funeral services were Sept. 12, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Randall with Pastor Joseph Crosswhite officiating. 

Burial was at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Camp Ripley.

Arrangements were with the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls.

Lester was born June 28, 1926 in Belfast Township, Murray County to the late John and Eliese (Pfingsten) Koopmann. He graduated from Fulda High School. He served two years in the U.S. Army during World War II in Korea and the Philippines. He earned a degree in biology from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and worked with the Minnesota Dept. of Conservation for ten years. He married Dorothy Raschke on September 14, 1963 at Holy Apostles Episcopal Church in St. Paul. They lived in Spring Lake Park and then settled in Detroit Lakes where Lester worked for 28 years for the U.S. Dept. of the Interior, the Detroit Lakes Fish Hatchery and the Becker County Assessor’s Office, retiring from in 1989. In 1993, they moved to Moorhead and to Little Falls in 2004. Lester was an avid outdoorsman and advocate for wildlife. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and connecting with nature. Music was a central part of his life, singing with a barbershop quartet or chorus, in the church choir, playing on the piano or accordion. He enjoyed golfing with his brothers, walking his dog and spending time with his granddaughters. He will be remembered for his reverent and gentle demeanor, commitment to and pride in his family. 

Lester is survived by his wife; two sons, John  (Cindy) and Karl (Jen Foote-Thomas); two granddaughters; one brother, Adelbert; four sisters, Marie, Norma, Wilma and Lorine. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Marvin, Henry, Wilbert and Vernon.

         w37c    A00006B2016SP15