Elaine Kopp

1930 - 2018

Elaine Kopp
April 20, 1930 - March 7, 2018
Elaine Ione (Holz) Kopp, beloved wife, devoted mother and cherished grandmother passed away unexpectedly on March 7, 2018.
Elaine was born on April 20, 1930 to William and Iona Holz, in Kramer, North Dakota. She was the oldest of four children. A small-town upbringing during the Depression impressed on her enduring values of resourcefulness and open-hearted generosity modeled by her parents, grandparents, neighbors and the town's house of worship, Zion Lutheran Church.
Her family moved in the mid-1940s to Bottineau, a larger town that provided new experiences and opportunities. Elaine was attentive to her education, but also took on part-time work at the local dairy and at a nearby resort, Lake Metigoshe. Eager to continue her schooling, Elaine enrolled at the North Dakota School of Forestry, a local 2-year college. It was there that she met, dated and realized that she had found her life-partner in Jerome (Jerry) Kopp. They shared deeply held beliefs in the importance of family, faith and education.
Married in 1952, they made their first home near Fort Tilden, New York, which seemed exotic compared to the High Plains of North Dakota. Their first adventure was living just steps from the Atlantic Ocean and a lively Boardwalk. The distance from family early in their marriage deepened their respect for and reliance upon each other.
In 1954 they returned to North Dakota with infant daughter Valerie and shared goals: to further Jerry's education and to raise a family together. Second daughter, Kathy soon arrived in 1956 and, for a young family, their next step was significant. They moved further West, to Modesto, California, where Jerry's career began as a secondary school teacher and soon shifted to Junior High/High School administrator. Elaine created a nurturing, loving home life, where friends and family were always welcome and her children thrived. With the birth of son Kurt, they felt a sense of permanence in their new hometown as the family grew.
Elaine's role as a caring and supportive parent took her in new directions as she became very involved with the Elihu Beard Elementary School P.T.A. The family began to forge important ties to the Stanislaus County Y.M.C.A. When Jerry was hired as director of Camp Jack Hazard, the entire family, including newborn baby Karla, were right at home among the pines of The Dardanelles.
Elaine's focus on supporting her family never wavered. She and Jerry instilled in their children the importance of faith, of being stewards of God's creation and giving of one's self to help others, as their own faith journey evolved, strengthened and provided constant momentum. Elaine stretched her sense of self when she volunteered as a survivor/mentor for the American Cancer Society and as a docent for many years at the McHenry Mansion. She would often marvel that her life had taken her from very humble beginnings to amazing destinations around the globe as she and Jerry traveled for Phi Delta Kappa. Wherever Elaine went, her heart was her true compass, guiding her with strength, joy and purpose.
Elaine is preceded in death by husband Jerry, her siblings Geraldine, Milton and Bill. She is survived by her family: daughter Valerie and Carl Van Valkenburg (Cara, Cali); daughter Kathy and Brian Stock (Louisa); daughter Karla and Tony Paul (Carl, Calvin, Kylie) and son Kurt and Melinda (Scanlon) Kopp and niece Kerry Jo Walker and special canine companion, Buzz.
A celebration of life will be held at Geneva Presbyterian Church, 1229 E. Fairmont Ave. on May 19th at
11:00 a.m. (reception to follow). Memorial contributions may be made to the fund established by the Kopp family in memory of Jerry and Elaine to assist Downey High School students with financial need in furthering their education. Please send donations to the MJC Foundation, 435 College Ave., Modesto, CA 95350, noting Kopp Fund in the memo field.
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