Arie "Rich" R. Houtcooper

ARIE 'RICH' HOUTCOOPER, age 76, of Pipestone, Minnesota, died Tuesday at the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone. Due to Rich’s request, there will be no funeral services. Arrangements are being handled by the Hartquist Funeral Home, Pipestone Chapel.

Rich was born in Bigelow, Minnesota to Arie and Lila (Lorenzen) Houtcooper on August 20, 1935. At two years of age, he moved with his parents to Missouri where they stayed for eight years. After the war ended, the family came to Pipestone, Minnesota where Rich attended and graduated from Pipestone High School. Afterward, he spent nine years in the National Guard while he worked at the local bread co-op as a driver for five years. Two of his children, Debbie and Scott, were born in Pipestone. Later, Rich moved to Illinois where his youngest son, Jaye was born. He spent 10 years there as a State Trooper. He elevated his status to Chief of Police in Cordova, Illinois and proudly served again as Chief of Police for Brandon, South Dakota, all together totaling 20 years of dedicated service. He called Pipestone his home once again, moving to the area to care for his mother. He resided in Pipestone until his dying day at Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone on July 31, 2012 at the age of 76 years, 11 months and 11 days.

Rich's pastimes were hunting and fishing, but his favorite of all was vegetable gardening. He was known around town for his specialty in tomatoes. At one point he had 115 plants of various types which created quite a spectacle!

Rich is survived by his significant other of 30 years, Janie Bader; his children, Debbie (Ken) Smith of Omaha, Nebraska, Scott Houtcooper of Climax, Georgia, and Jaye (Michelle) Houtcooper of Mount Home, Idaho; his other children, Amy (Scott) Kurves of Marshall, Minnesota, Rebecca (Arlyn) VanderZiel of Pipestone, Minnesota and Clay (Leah) Bader of Sioux City, Iowa; 14 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandsons.