Keith Schoppe (1928-2006)

SCHOPPE, ECKHARDT, NEEDHAM, MORGART

Posted By: Nevada Journal
Date: 7/28/2006 at 07:16:12

NEVADA JOURNAL, Nevada, Story County, Iowa, Thursday, January 13, 2006.

Keith Schoppe

Keith Schoppe, 78, of State Center, died suddenly on Sunday, July 23rd, 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 27th, 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 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in State Center from 6-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com . The Mitchell Family Funeral Home West Marshall Chapel, 104 W. Main Street, State Center is caring for Keith and his family. 641-844-1234.

Keith was born and the Schoppe Family Farm at the southwest edge of State Center on March 8th, 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 1000 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. The winter months, he drove semi for K-Line in Newton hauling livestock and freight.

On July 20th, 1957, he was united in marriage 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 of 1962 to January of 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 for 1976 - 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, three grandchildren Justin, Sarah and Maegen Schoppe of Ames, 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.

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