Frank Koppy Obituary

I wanted to take this moment to share my memories, my sadness, and my thanks to a great man, my "Grandpa Koppy". My grandpa was like a celebrity to us while we were growing up. Our family lived in Iowa, therefore any trips we made to Colorado, were VERY special to us! [I am the eldest child, of 6, belonging to Ron and Michelle Schaapveld.] Because the distance in miles was difficult, my mother made our grandparents seem "minutes away". I cannot even count the nights that everyones favorite bedtime stories were the ones mom told us about how it was growing up with all of her sisters, her mom cooking,her dad in the garden or making deer sausage. [Getting grandpa's sausage, was like winning the lottery!] She told us how grandpa sat in his special chair[ at the end of the counter] with grandma on his lap. She made us laugh ,with her silly stories of how much fun it was playing in the creek nearby. How the kids made potholders with yarn, to sell door to door. I could go on and on.....Now that I am an adult,and have teenagers of my own,[3 boys], I realize that the love, support,patience and forgiveness that grandpa and grandma gave their girls is really why I "portrayed" grandpa as a celebrity! Grandma passed away before I entered kindergarten, but when I picture her in my mind she is still sitting at the end of the counter....yes, on grandpa's lap. What a treasure it is for this mental picture to have been so clearly imprinted in my mind. If only there were a way to get Grandpa's chair to heaven! I find peace knowing they are together again.I feel safe knowing they are looking down on all of us with love, the kind of love that our lord gives us, unconditional. I can only hope it is also with pride. Thank you grandpa for the memories...the mother you and gram blessed me with. I will see you both soon, in God's time.
Love Always,
Nikki

Dear Dad,
I sure miss you. I have some good memories to keep in my heart that I will always cherish,like how you would call & ask me if I would like to help case some sausage.I didn't even think twice!!
We had some good talks & while we were casing the sausage we were cooking some sausage to enjoy when we got a break.Those were some of my best memories with you Dad.
Also the time my Dad came out for our wedding, you & my Dad went somewhere. We never did find out were you two went. I guess I never will find out till I see you again with our LORD Jesus.Amen
Oh how we had a good time when you came up to the land and spent the day.
There are so many more memories like playing pinochle at the kitchen table so many nights you can't count them.win or lose, it was fun.
You would let me work in your garden which I liked to do...
Dad and Mom Koppy always made me feel welcome at your home in the same way my Dad did at his home to me and Marikay and our children.
I thank you for the many times you helped (and taught me at the same time) how to fix the plumbing, the furnace, wiring and any other help I needed.
I will also never forget the time I surprised you by wiring a switch in your bedroom to replace the string on the light. You weren't too happy with that surprise gift.
Remember the vacation trip we took to New Mexico and I led us on a terrible "wild goose chase" of a road deep in the mountains and forests, trying to find the campground?
I would say GOD BLESS but you are with GOD right now and you are already BLESSED AMEN Also I was bessed that you said it was ok to call you DAD,DAD!!!! See you in the near future Dad Love Don

We send our deepest sympathy in the loss of your father. He was indeed a fine man. We would like to make a donation to the charity of your choice. Please let us know your preferance.
With love, Mark Dorothy & T.D.

Daddy,
I love you and am so happy that you are with Mom, your parents, your brothers and sisters and other family. I know you are celebrating joyously.
I am so thankful that I was able to tell you the following thoughts of my heart to your face this side of heaven. I just want to tell you one more time how much you mean to me and what a good father you are to me. I know you loved and cared for me very much. I know you showed it in very many ways such as: Working so very hard 2-3 jobs for so many years to take care of mom and us 7 girls.
Thank you for all of the good wonderful memories:The stories of our life at Glen Eyrie, The stories of the early days when we all started appearing one by one five years in a row and then 2 more girls, The baton you got me for my birthday, The t.v. birthday-clown parties you took me to, singing Ka ka ka KATY at the kitchen door to me, the trips to manitou for" mineral water pop", the many trips to the dairy queen for icecream cones, trips to "your plant", the plant picnics, The dances around the living room to Lawrence Welk and his band, the bags of popcorn and the family trips to North Dakota, The North Dakota legacy, the mercy you showed me with the "bathroom door incident", the kindness and love you and mom showed me when I was struggling with a broken romantic relationship.
You truly had the patience of Job, not only with me, but with 7 girls all who were fiesty, rambuncous, stubborn, fighting with each other day and night. When I was grown and had children of my own you let me know that you were happy with all girls and you weren't wishing that we were "boys",
Through it all you taught and modeled respect and love for God and Jesus Christ,respect for my fellow man, honesty, hospitality, generosity, integrity, hard work and fun balanced with fair work ethics, loving your spouse, children , family and friends,,,and disciplining us all whether we "all" needed it or not (you couldn't figure out "WHO DID IT" so you got us all)...thank you , thank you, thank you.
I will see you in the twinkling of an eye.....see you later
Many hugs and kisses to you, mom, and the rest of the family you are celebrating with........Love till I see you
Your loving daughter Marikay

We are so sorry to hear about your dad, Frank. Take Care, Bob, Lenore, Rob and Shelley Zabel