John Cornelius Koopal, 88, known as Jack to family and friends passed away on Thursday, August 10, 2023, at Kennybrook Village in Grimes.
A celebration of life will be held on Monday, August 14th, at 10:30 am at the Merle Hay Chapel, 4400 Merle Hay Rd in Des Moines. His cremated remains will be entombed at the Chapel Hill Gardens cemetery.
Jack was born on November 9, 1934, in Sheldon, Iowa, the son of Cornelius & Jennie (Buss) Koopal. The family moved to Minnesota and Jack graduated from the Lyle Public Schools with the class of 1953. He was united in marriage to Betty Joan Madson in Austin, MN on May 4, 1957. He then left to serve his country in the US Army, discharging in 1960. Jack was a longtime employee of Cuna Mutual Society Insurance. Service to community was important to him and he was a Past President of the Kiwanis Club and the church council in Waverly.
Jack greatly enjoyed raising the spirits of those around him, he was known at Kennybrook for always having a joke at the ready for friends and staff. "Paka" loved spending time with his grandchildren in Arizona, Iowa, and Montana. Whether fishing, catching a spring training game, attending their events or just spending quality time, they were the highlight of his life.
Jack is survived by his children; Steven (Debbie), Craig (Ann), Susan (Anthony) Bonanno, Michael (Mae), brother, Sam, and 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He will also be missed by his companion Nancy King.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Betty in 2011 and a brother William. Memorials may be directed to American Heart Association.
