Walter Kopp

WALTER HEILMAN KOPP was born on July 21, 1922 to Walter and Emma (Heilman) Kopp in East Donegal Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He grew up in East Donegal Township, living with his family in the towns of Stackstown, Elizabethtown, Florin, and Maytown Pennsylvania. He graduated from East Donegal Township High School in Mt. Joy, Pennsylvania and worked various jobs until he went to Chicago, Illinois for special training for Boeing. He enlisted into the US Army on July 8, 1943 and served honorably until February 11, 1946. Following the service, he worked for Cargill, Inc. During this time, he was set up on a blind date with another employee of Cargill, and the future love of his life, Eileen Sunde. The pair was united in marriage on December 22, 1951 at Kenneth Lutheran Church in Kenneth, Minnesota. In 1951, Walter started working for the Caterpillar Company out of York, Pennsylvania. The couple made their home for the first few years in the nearby towns of Mt. Joy and Goldsboro, Pennsylvania. In the fall of 1956 they moved to Eileen’s parents’ farm where they made their home and raised their five children. Walter farmed for the next 30 years of his life, formally retiring in 1986. In 2004, the couple moved off the farm and into Luverne, Minnesota. Eileen preceded him in death on December 30, 2012. On November 9, 2014, Walter died peacefully at Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage at the age of 92 years, 3 months and 19 days.

Walter was a current member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne and a past member of Kenneth Lutheran Church where he sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, served on church council and was also president of the congregation. He was very civic minded, serving as the Mayor of Kenneth, Town Clerk and Justice of the Peace. Walter also drove school bus for the Magnolia and Adrian School Districts. He is remembered fondly by many former riders. Walter enjoyed fishing, vacationing with a pop-up trailer, and loved time spent with his family, especially with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be remembered as a man who gave unconditional love and blessed others with his healthy dose of humor.

He is lovingly remembered by his five children, Timothy (Becky) of Renton, WA, Jonathon (Peggy) of Kenneth, Thomas (Marlene) of Luverne, Daniel (Pam) of Luverne, and Kristine (Daniel) of Fulda, MN; 15 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Louise Forwood of Rheems, PA, and Ruth (Joseph) Reneer of Mt. Joy, PA; and other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Eileen; brother-in-law, Elmer Forwood, niece, Martha Bixler; nephew, David Reneer; uncle, John Heilman; and his aunt and uncle, Leroy and Frances Kopp.