John Kopischke

John Paul Kopischke was born on April 1, 1925 at home in Morgan, Minnesota. His parents were the late Carl and Anna (Richter) Kopischke. John grew up on the family farm in rural Morgan. He served in the United States Navy during World War II from 1942 to 1946. He served a short time on the Troop Carrier USS Menifee before volunteering to serve as a mechanic on a submarine. He was assigned to the USS Pike where he held the rank of Machinist Mate 1st Class until his Honorable Discharge in 1946. He earned his pilot’s license in 1946 and bought his first plane. He even picked up his future wife for a flying date. John enjoyed flying over the years. He bought a variety of planes and rebuilt 5 others. He was active in the Wadena Pilots Association and Civil Air Patrol.

On November 25, 1947 John was united in Marriage with Irene Margaret Heltemes at St. Hubert’s Catholic Church in Bluegrass, Minnesota. Their marriage was blessed with 6 children. During their first year of marriage, John and Irene enjoyed traveling and resided for a short time in Apache Junction, Arizona. They returned to Minnesota and made their home in Red Lake Falls where they farmed. In 1956 they moved to Wadena, Minnesota where Irene was employed at Homecrest and John worked road construction first with CL Nelson and later with Thorson where he operated the paver, retiring in 1983.

John was an avid hunter and fisherman. He made many fishing trips to Canada. He also hunted big game in Canada, Alaska, Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, and Minnesota. His last deer hunting trip was at the age of 92. Not only did he spend a lot of time hunting and fishing with family and friends; he enjoyed his time outdoors riding his snowmobile and ATV and making his weekly trips to the casino.

On August 3, 2020 John passed away peacefully at Lakewood Hospital in Staples, Minnesota. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Preceding John in death are his parents: Carl and Anna; wife: Irene (May 18, 2002); great-grandchild: Dalton Rousslang; sons-in-law: Donald Pulju and Joseph Rousslang; 6 sisters: Agusta Wittwer, Amelia Billmeier, Minnie Billmeier, Helen Benson, Delores Larson, and Gladys Steneroden; 7 brothers: Carl Jr., Edward, Alvin, Theodore, Herman, William and Arthur in infancy.

John is survived by his children: Larry (Roxann) Kopischke of Eagle River, Alaska; Alan (Shirley) Kopischke of Ottertail, Minnesota; Rand Kopischke of Anchorage, Alaska Cheryl (Larry) Ness of Starbuck, Minnesota; Dianne Rousslang of Wadena, Minnesota; and Laurie Kopischke-Pulju of Wadena, Minnesota; sister: Eleanor Tigges of Minneapolis, Minnesota; brother: Lester Kopischke of Bay City, Michigan; 12 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; many other relatives and a host of friends.

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