Vernon F. Koopman, 85 of Spearfish, passed away on June 4, 2014 at his home.

Vern was born on April 28, 1929 to John and Eliese (Pfingsten) Koopman in Fulda, MN. He attended school and graduated from Fulda High School in 1946. He married Kathryn Jean Gunderman on December 26, 1952 in Fulda, MN. He worked at John Morrell in Sioux Falls until he enlisted in the Air Force in 1950 and ended up in France during the Korean War in the weather service. He was able to bring Kathryn over when it looked like he would be staying during his tour and their daughter, Karleen was born there. When his four years were up, he spent a year working on a farm and went to college for 3 1/2 years majoring in Agriculture. He worked for Farmer's Home Administration for 30 years, and after retiring he planted trees for the Conservation Service for 17 years.

He was a charter member of SPEBSQSA (Barbershop Musicians), treasurer of OGT (Orphan Grain Train), an active member of Emanuel Lutheran Church, Milbank, a Sunday School teacher, a church choir member and a church treasurer for years.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Kathryn, Spearfish; daughters, Karleen Koopman, Spearfish, Gayle (Terry) Jobst, Perkasie, PA, Dawn (Tim) Amos, Rapid City, Beth (Joe) Neeb, Spearfish and Karen Paugh, Rapid City; sons, Randy (Diane) Koopman, La Vista, NE, Loren (Gloria) Koopman, Milbank, Jon (Deanna) Koopman, Sioux Falls and Paul (Amy) Koopman, Minneapolis, MN; 23 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sisters, Marie Ommen, Fulda, MN, Norma Meek, Annandale, MN, Wilma Farmer, Minneapolis, MN, Lorene Clapp, Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada; brothers, Lester (Dorothy) Koopman, Little Falls, MN, Adelbert Koopman, Fulda, MN; brothers-in-law, Ivan Gunderman, Madison, WI and Merle (Joan) Gunderman, Brainerd, MN; sisters-in-law, Janet Bouman, Valparaiso, IN, Barbara (Roger) Kaspersen, Denver, CO, Carolyn (Dave) Singer, Prior Lake, MN; special friends, Ralph and Jeanette Stensland and all his Milbank friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, Marvin, Wilbert and Henry.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, June 9, 2014, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Spearfish with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place at Black Hills National Cemetery with military honors provided by the Spearfish Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to Orphan Grain Train and the Lutheran Hour Ministries.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Service of Spearfish.