Barbara J. Koopman

Barbara Joan Koopman, 75, of Sioux Falls, died peacefully January 11, 2009 at Bethany Manor after battling ovarian cancer for the past 2 ½ years.

Visitation will be at Good News Reformed Church from 6:00 – 8:00 PM with a prayer service from 7:00 – 7:30 PM on Wednesday January 14th, 2009. The celebration of her life service will be at 1:00 PM Thursday, January 15th, 2009 at Good News Reformed Church.

Barbara Joan Larson daughter of Melvin (Happy) and Leta (Crepps) Larson, was born May 12, 1933 at the Kruse Maternity Home in Arlington, South Dakota. Following her graduation from Lake Norden in 1951 she attended General Beadle College where she earned her State Teaching Certificate in 1956.
Barbara married John Koopman August 19th, 1954 at the Congregational Church in Badger, South Dakota. The couple enjoyed teaching and being involved in education in several different communities in South Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa over the years while they raised their two boys Bradley and Douglas. Barbara was always involved in the life of the church they attended. She was involved in bible studies, choir, and various boards to which she was elected. In 1980, John and Barb moved from Scotland, SD to Storm Lake, IA where Barbara was an assistant school librarian at the Storm Lake High School. They eventually moved to Sioux Falls in 1999.

Barbara’s top loves were her Lord, taking care of her family, as well as reading and writing.

Grateful for being a part of her life are her husband John, of Sioux Falls, SD, her sons Bradley (Beverly) Koopman of Harrisburg, SD and Douglas (Jodee) Koopman of Boulder City, NV, her five grandchildren, Peyton, DJ, Karlee, Jennifer (Ben) Powers, and Christopher, her sibling Donna (Van) Bergener of Fremont CA, and a host of other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Larry and Bobby.

The family has requested that memorials be directed to the Aseracare Hospice, Comfort Keepers, or Bethany Manor of Sioux Falls.