Barbara Kopetsky

Barbara (Hart) Kopetsky, 77, of Aberdeen, SD, peacefully entered the gates of her Heavenly home on Sunday, September 7, 2025.

Barbara's wishes were to be cremated, and a Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Carlsen Funeral Home with Pastor Derek Baum officiating.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

A celebration of life gathering and light lunch will be served at the Family Worship Center, 435 N Hwy 281, Aberdeen, immediately following the memorial service.

Casual attire is preferred.

Barbara's family prefers that memorials be sent to Aldersgate Church in lieu of flowers.

Carlsen Funeral Home & Crematory,1708 8th Ave NE, Aberdeen, has been entrusted with arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.carlsenfh.com.

Barbara Hart was born in Forbes, ND, at their home on March 14, 1948, the eldest daughter of Charles and Ruth (Derry) Hart. She attended Frederick High School and graduated in 1966. Barbara married Laverne Kopetsky in June 1966. They made their home in Frederick, where Barb worked as a bookkeeper for 6 years at the local Cenex station. They relocated to Minneapolis, MN, in 1979, where she was employed as a payroll accountant at the Minneapolis Star and Tribune Newspaper until they returned to Aberdeen, SD, in 1982. Her most enjoyable and memorable employment was her Financial Aid Administrative position at Northern State Universit,y where she was employed from September 1991 until her retirement in February 2012. She immensely enjoyed working with students and the staff at NSU and formed many strong ties with the staff and the students. After retirement, she enjoyed working at her son's computer store as the office manager for many years. Laverne and Barb had two sons, Gene Kopetsky and Charles (Chuck) Kopetsky.

Barbara was a member of Aldersgate (formerly First United Methodist) Church of Aberdeen. She enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, and most of all, she loved spending time with all her grandchildren and attending her grandchildren's sporting events and musical events. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Barbara had been a member of the Minerva No. 5 Order of the Eastern Star and was Worthy Matron for 3 years, had been a volunteer EMT with the Frederick Ambulance, was a Cub Scout Leader, Methodist Sunday School Teacher, and served on various boards and committees.

Barbara is survived by her sons: Gene Kopetsky and Charles "Chuck" (Joanie) Kopetsky; five wonderful grandchildren: Dr. Tiffany (Dr. Mawuli Wilson- Cee)MacDonald, Donovan Kopetsky, Brittany(Samuel) Schnell, Nicole Kopetsky, and Joseph "Joey" Kopetsky; one great- grandson, Tobias Arthur Schnell; her siblings; Bruce Hart, Charlene ( Michael Bonano) Hart, Bradley ( Shawn) Hart; sister-in-law Mara ( Kerry) Hart; several brother and sisters in law; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Laverne; parents, Charles and Ruth; parents-in-law Joe and Iona Kopetsky; her sisters Linda Phelps and Wanda Franz; her brother, Kerry Hart; her nephew, Scott Franz; her niece, Lori Franz; her brother-in-law, Chuck Phelps; and a special friend, Irene Ashley.