Official Obituary of
Gene P. Coplan
December 2, 1937 ~ April 21, 2016 (age 78) 78 Years Old
Gene Coplan Obituary
Gene P. Coplan, age 78, of Henry, SD, passed away on Thursday, April 21, 2016, in Watertown, SD. A Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, April 26, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown. Fr. Paul Rutten will be the celebrant. Music will be provided by Helen Gollnick as organist with the I.C. Funeral Choir. The family is requested to meet by 10:00 a.m. at the church for a family prayer service.
Visitation will be at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel on Monday from 4-7 p.m. with a Scripture Wake Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will also be prior to services at the church.
Burial will be at St. Peter's Cemetery, Grover, SD. Active pallbearers will be Steve Paulsen, Troy DeBerg, Roger Oleson and Gene's grandchildren: Nick Geffre, Tara Coplan, Clint Coplan, Marlee Coplan and Allison Geffre.
Gene was born on December 2, 1937, in rural Henry, SD, to Francis "Frank" and Helen (Knadle) Coplan. He attended grade school at Curley #49.
After graduating from Watertown High School in 1955, he enlisted in the SD Army National Guard on June 14, 1961. He was honorably discharged on June 13, 1967.
On May 9, 1964, Gene married Ruth Cordell at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown. He farmed near Henry his whole life.
In his earlier years he helped work sales at SD Livestock.
Gene was a member of the Grover Farmers Elevator Board and he was the Henry Township Treasurer from March 1971 through March 2012. He was a life member of St. Peter's Church of Grover, an Eagles member, and the Farmers Union Treasurer for many years. He also received a certificate for 10 years of his service to the ASCS.
Gene enjoyed hunting in his early years and also square dancing, but most of all he loved working on the farm and spending time with his grandchildren.
Gene loved to visit with neighbors and friends.
Gene is survived by his wife, Ruth, of Henry; his children: Karlene (Gailen) Geffre of Watertown, Chris (Carla) Coplan of Hazel, SD, Stephanie (Dan) Crocker of Watertown, and Becky (Wayne) Yeager of Brandon, SD; five grandchildren: Tara Coplan, Clint Coplan, Marlee Coplan, Nicholas Geffre and Allison Geffre; two brothers: Gale (Janet) Coplan of Red Wing, MN, and Gary (Mary Jo) Coplan of Sioux Falls, SD; and two sisters: Joyce (Donald) Oleson of Watertown and JoAnne Ries of Lakewood, CA.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother-in-law, Jim Ries.
When: April 25, 2016 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel
Address: 208 3rd St SW De Smet SD SD 57231
When: April 26, 2016 10:30am
Location: Immaculate Conception Cath-Wtn.
Address: 309 2nd Avenue SE Watertown, SD 57201
Visitation will be at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel on Monday from 4-7 p.m. with a Scripture Wake Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will also be prior to services at the church.
Burial will be at St. Peter's Cemetery, Grover, SD. Active pallbearers will be Steve Paulsen, Troy DeBerg, Roger Oleson and Gene's grandchildren: Nick Geffre, Tara Coplan, Clint Coplan, Marlee Coplan and Allison Geffre.
Gene was born on December 2, 1937, in rural Henry, SD, to Francis "Frank" and Helen (Knadle) Coplan. He attended grade school at Curley #49.
After graduating from Watertown High School in 1955, he enlisted in the SD Army National Guard on June 14, 1961. He was honorably discharged on June 13, 1967.
On May 9, 1964, Gene married Ruth Cordell at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown. He farmed near Henry his whole life.
In his earlier years he helped work sales at SD Livestock.
Gene was a member of the Grover Farmers Elevator Board and he was the Henry Township Treasurer from March 1971 through March 2012. He was a life member of St. Peter's Church of Grover, an Eagles member, and the Farmers Union Treasurer for many years. He also received a certificate for 10 years of his service to the ASCS.
Gene enjoyed hunting in his early years and also square dancing, but most of all he loved working on the farm and spending time with his grandchildren.
Gene loved to visit with neighbors and friends.
Gene is survived by his wife, Ruth, of Henry; his children: Karlene (Gailen) Geffre of Watertown, Chris (Carla) Coplan of Hazel, SD, Stephanie (Dan) Crocker of Watertown, and Becky (Wayne) Yeager of Brandon, SD; five grandchildren: Tara Coplan, Clint Coplan, Marlee Coplan, Nicholas Geffre and Allison Geffre; two brothers: Gale (Janet) Coplan of Red Wing, MN, and Gary (Mary Jo) Coplan of Sioux Falls, SD; and two sisters: Joyce (Donald) Oleson of Watertown and JoAnne Ries of Lakewood, CA.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother-in-law, Jim Ries.
Service Details.
Visitation
When: April 25, 2016 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel
Address: 208 3rd St SW De Smet SD SD 57231
Service
When: April 26, 2016 10:30am
Location: Immaculate Conception Cath-Wtn.
Address: 309 2nd Avenue SE Watertown, SD 57201
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In Loving Memory Of
Gene Coplan
December 2, 1937-April 21, 2016
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