Harlan "Shorty" Koeppen 1927-2010

KOEPPEN JOHNSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 2/27/2011 at 16:40:52

Sioux City Journal
10 November 2010

SIOUX CITY -- Harlan "Shorty" Koeppen, 82, of Sioux City passed away, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010, at his residence.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee, Iowa. The Rev. Ray Kruger will officiate. Burial will be in the Afton Township Cemetery at rural Cherokee. There will be a family prayer service at 10:15 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today, with the family present 6:30 to 8 p.m., at the funeral home. Online condolences can be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.

He was born Dec. 4, 1927, in Galva Township, Ida County, Iowa, to William and Frieda Koeppen. He attended rural schools in the Galva, Iowa, area. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1950 and served in Germany during the Korean War and returned home in 1952.

He was married to Leona Johnson on June 8, 1956, in Storm Lake, Iowa. After moving to Sioux City, he worked in the auto body repair industry for several years. He also worked in elevator construction for seven years in Sioux City. He retired in 1989. He had lived in Sioux City for many years.

He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars L.A. Wescott Post 2253 in Cherokee and the American Legion. He enjoyed the time he spent visiting with his family and friends.

He is survived by one son, Mahlon Koeppen of Prescott, Ariz.; three grandsons, Alex, Jack and Kayle Koeppen; four brothers, Erick Koeppen of Gary, S.D., Bernhardt (Monica) Koeppen of Milford, Iowa, Dean Koeppen of South Sioux City, Glen (Carol) Koeppen of Lakewood, Colo.; one sister, Virginia Smith of Sebastian, Texas; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Koeppen of Crystal, Minn.; also many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Leona on Sept. 2, 2000; a daughter, Rhonda Koeppen Byers; a brother, Harold Koeppen; two sisters-in-law, Fern Koeppen and Mabel Koeppen; a brother-in-law, Frank Smith.