A long-time resident of Shakopee, Joseph “Joe” Louis Kopet was 79 years, when he passed away peacefully on Friday, August 19, 2016, at St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Shakopee, MN.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Tuesday, August 23 at 11 am, with a time of gathering two hours prior, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 119 Eighth Avenue West, Shakopee. MN. The Reverend Gary Kinkel will preside. Pallbearers will be Jeff Kopet, Emil Knish, Tom Ryan, Derrick Ginkel, Ronnie Kopet and Jay Lerbs. Joseph will be laid to rest at a private family burial at Valley Cemetery, Shakopee, MN.
Joseph was born on February 2, 1937 in New Prague, MN, to parents James and Johanna (Trcka) Kopet. At the age of nine days old, his mother passed due to Scarlet Fever, leaving his father to raise six children. Joseph often said, “I grew up during hard times, but we all lived through them!” Living in Montgomery, he attended Catholic school and then Montgomery High School.
Joseph began working various jobs, such as the canning factor, road construction and last MA Gedney Company in Chaska. On February 7, 1959, he was united in marriage to Shirley Ann Vavra. They were blessed with three children, Gerald, Darlene and Kathy.
Joseph liked old time, classic country and gospel music. He enjoyed playing cards, going to the casino on various occasions and word finds. Joseph great passion was his grandchildren and family.
Forever loved and missed by wife, Shirley of 57 years; son, Gerald (Joyce) Kopet of Shakopee; daughters, Darlene (Paul) Ryan of Chanhassen, Kathy (Richard) Ginkel of Shakopee; grandchildren Thomas Ryan, Jessica Kopet, Jeffrey Kopet, Kelly Ryan, Kayla Ginkel, Derrick Ginkel; sister, Mamie Knish of Le Center; brother-in-law, James Lorence of Belle Plaine; sister-in-law, Shirley Kopet of Anoka; many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by parents; brothers, Alvin Kopet, James Kopet; sisters, Helen Jelinek and Tillie Lorence.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation, Shakopee Chapel, proudly served and cared for the Kopet family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
