Lawrence R. Koppes (1938-2020)

KOPPES, KELCHEN, PUTZ

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 11/5/2020 at 21:50:24

Lawrence R. Koppes
September 13, 1938 - November 02, 2020

Lawrence R. Koppes, 82, of Dyersville, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 2, 2020 at 1:50 p.m., (On All Souls Day) at MercyOne Medical Center in Dubuque, Iowa.

Visitation for Lawrence will be held from 2 to 8 p.m., Friday, November 6, 2020 at the Reiff Funeral Home in Dyersville, Iowa, where a prayer service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Social distancing will be followed, as recommended by federal and state guidelines. Face masks are required to attend the visitation. Visitation will also continue Saturday morning at the funeral home from 8 a.m. until time of services.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, November 7, 2020 at the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier in Dyersville, Iowa, with Rev. Dennis Quint presiding. Services will be live streamed and viewable at the following link https://youtu.be/kMlTb6i8mdI or on the Reiff Funeral Home Facebook page. Burial will be held in St. Francis Cemetery in Dyersville, Iowa.

He was born September 13, 1938 in Monmouth, Iowa, son of Raymond and Helen (Kelchen) Koppes. He started his education at a country school called Pleasant Hill, and he walked 1 mile to and from school. Lawrence finished his education at Temple Hill, graduating from 8th grade and then worked on the family farm. On October 5, 1960, he was united in marriage with Delores Putz at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Petersburg, Iowa. They separated years later.

Lawrence was employed by several local companies and found a job he enjoyed by hauling milk for Ron Theisen Transport in Dyersville, Iowa until his retirement. His pride was his home in Dyersville, and his two granddaughters. In 2015, Lawrence lost a granddaughter and wished the Good Lord took him instead. His health continued to decline from that point forward.

He was a member of St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville, Iowa.

As the family visited Dad at different times, his daughter Joyce was there to comfort him by talking to him, saying the rosary, and listening to old country music.

He is survived by six children, Diane Koppes (Dan Recker) of Holy Cross, Dan Koppes of Cascade, Alan Koppes of Antioch, IL, Dale Koppes of Dyersville, Joyce (Allen) Polfer of Farley, and Cathy Koppes of Dyersville; one granddaughter, Nicole Polfer (Jared McCombs) of Farley; one step grandson, Allen (Amy) Polfer of Robins; three great step grandchildren, Cora, Silas, and Thomas; three brothers, Merlin Koppes of Cascade, Carl (Donna) Koppes and Paul (Sandy) Koppes both of Monmouth; three sisters, Phyllis (Marv) Ludwig of Cuba City, WI, Donna (Jim) Schewe of Oxford Junction, and Marilyn Staskal of Maquoketa; four sisters-in-Law, Judy (Jim) Betzner and Marlene Koppes both of Cascade, Judy Koppes and Brenda Koppes, both of Monmouth.

He is also preceded in death by his parents; one granddaughter, Kaitlyn Ann Polfer on April 13, 2015; three brothers, Chuck, David, and Dennis Koppes; and one sister-in-law, Lori “Pris” Koppes.

The family would like to thank MercyOne Medical Center in Dubuque, Irv Borgerding, and Doran and Mary Batterson for all of the care they gave to Lawrence.

If you would like to leave an online condolence for the family, please visit our website at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com