Herman Kopitzke

Herman Kopitzke

Boone

Herman W. Kopitzke Jr., 86, of Boone passed away Friday, August 18, 2017 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines with his best friend and wife at his side.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Augustana Lutheran Church with Rev. Dan Solomon officiating. Burial will be in the Linwood Park Cemetery with Military Honors conducted by the Boone Veterans Council.

Herman W. Kopitzke Jr. was born February 25, 1931 in Culbertson, Montana the son of Herman W. Sr. and Margaret (Green) Kopitzke. Herman graduated from Culbertson High School in 1949. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served during the Korean War as a Communications Officer. He was stationed in South Korea. After his service time, Herman entered college at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana, earning his degree in Ag Engineering. He entered the work force employed with the USDA as a Hydrologist with the Watershed Planning Party, designing flood control projects. Herman retired in 1986. While employed, he resided in West Des Moines.

Herman was united in marriage to Helen Capps of Boone on May 29, 1970 in Des Moines, Iowa. They were blessed with 47 years of happy marriage together. Herman loved overseeing the building of their retirement home in 1988, in rural Boone, which they moved into the next year. He loved flower gardening, especially growing hostas and daylilies. Herman was a member of the Russ O'Hara Hosta Society, the Iowa Arboretum for many years, joined the Lions Club in the early 90's, served as a District Governor 1999-2000, served on the Lions State Constitution Bylaws committee twice as chair and currently was club secretary-treasurer. He became active with the Iowa Lions Kidsight Program, screening over 10,000 preschool children and serving on the steering committee at the University of Iowa for many years and was a trainer and coordinator for his district. Herman also served many years on the Boone County Zoning Board and was currently served on the Boone County Assessment Review Board.

Herman is survived by his loving wife, Helen of Boone; brother Robert, sister, Shirley Kopitzke, and beloved extended family, niece, Deb (Michael) Billingsley, nephew, Philip (Bonnie) Lebo, great nephew Andrew (Ann) Lebo, great niece Jamie (Kurt) Beyer, and five great-great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Ed, Richard, and a niece.

Friends may call at the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall in Boone, on Monday from 5 until 7 p.m., at which time the family will be present. Visitation on Tuesday will be at the Church, from 10 a.m. until service time.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in memory of Herman may be directed to the Iowa Kidsight Program or the Iowa Arboretum.

Online condolences at schroedermemorialchapel.com

Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel is helping the family with arrangements.