Keith Schoppe (1928-2006)

SCHOPPE, ECKHARDT, NEEDHAM, MORGART

Posted By: Ames Tribune
Date: 7/25/2006 at 17:49:48

THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Tuesday, July 25, 2006.

Keith Schoppe
March 8, 1928-July 23, 2006
Keith Schoppe, 78, of State Center, died suddenly on Sunday, July 23, at the Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center.

Funeral services and a celebration of his life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 27, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in State Center with Pastor Mike Maddick officiating. He will be laid to rest at the Hillside Cemetery at State Center after a procession lead by the State Center Volunteer Fire Department. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Trinity Lutheran Church in State Center. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com.

Keith was born at the Schoppe Family Farm at the southwest edge of State Center on March 8, 1928, the son of Alva and Emma (Eckhardt) Schoppe. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Church and attended St. John's Parochial School and then the State Center Public Schools. He worked with his father and brothers custom farm over 1,000 acres of land.

In 1946, he left farming and operated large equipment in the open coal mines in southern Iowa. After that time, he worked for Mickel and Ross Construction doing earth moving on several major highways in Iowa. During the winter months, he drove a semi for K-Line in Newton hauling livestock and freight.

On July 20, 1957, he was united in marriage to Lola Faye Needham in Marshalltown. They have lived their entire married life in State Center. They were the parents of two children, David and Dolores.

Keith has operated earth moving equipment for over 50 years building ponds, waterways and anything else associated with improving land. Keith served on the State Center City Council from January 1962 to January 1966. He was a member of the State Center Volunteer Fire Department since March 3, 1959. Lola and Keith enjoyed going to the Fire Convention each fall.

He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, serving in various capacities from 1976 to 1995, including president, vice president, elder and recording secretary. He was also a member of the Iowa Land Improvement Contractors Association and served with Lola as grand marshals of the State Center Rose Festival Parade in June 2003.

Keith and Lola spent winters in Texas and were blessed with an extended "family" there. They looked forward to each winter in Texas and getting together with friends there. Their friends supported them through health challenges and became lifelong friends.

Surviving are his loving wife of 49 years, Lola, son David (Martha) Schoppe of Ames, daughter Dolores (Marvin) Morgart of Story City, sister Donna Schoppe of State Center and brother Daryl (Marilynn) Schoppe of State Center as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Clair Schoppe.

Keith was excellent in remembering dates of importance and knew who was related to whom in the area.

He will be greatly missed by many who knew him.

The Mitchell Family Funeral Home West Marshall Chapel, 104 W. Main St., State Center, is in charge of arrangements.

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