Keith Jopp

Keith Ralph Jopp, age 82, of Cheney, KS was born on September 13, 1942, and passed March 10th, 2025.
A Funeral Service was held Saturday, March 15, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, in Cheney, Kansas. The visitation was at 9:30 a.m. that morning.
Keith was born on September, 13, 1942, the son of Ralph and Clara (Stoeckmann) Jopp. He was baptized on October 18, 1942, by Pastor William L. Ernst at St. John Lutheran Church of Hollywood, New Germany, MN. Keith attended St. John Lutheran School and later Watertown High School where he graduated with the Watertown Class of 1960. He confirmed his faith on March 21, 1956 at St. John Lutheran Church, with Pastor Robert Heyne as officiant. His confirmation verse was Romans 1:16 – "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes." He completed an AA in education from Concordia College in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1963, a BS in elementary education from Concordia College in Seward, Nebraska in 965 and his masters of education degree in curriculum development from Wichita State University in 1974.
Keith was united in marriage with JoAnn Gerken at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Cheney, KS on May 31, 1971. Their marriage was blessed with two daughters, Tonya and Jacque. Subsequently, he married Janet Harrington at Our Risen Savior Church in Excelsior, MN on July 6, 2002.
His distinguished 43-year professional career thriving as a small-town teacher and administrator at St. Paul's Lutheran School in Cheney. His students say they were truly blessed by him as a teacher, but as adults he became their trusted mentor and a true friend.
Keith's educational philosophy was founded on his personal Christian faith, and he dedicated his life to helping children learn. He believed strongly that Christian schools should provide a place for children to affirm their faith before they become part of the world at large.
He set the bar high for his students, and they responded admirably. Keith was also a highly innovative educator who, for example, as an avid outdoorsman shared his love of nature through his concept of a school campout. This student-planned event remains a favorite St. Paul tradition.
Keith began at St. Paul in 1965 with a one-room school, and 19 students. He was instrumental in a million dollar development that expanded the school to five classrooms of pre-K through eighth grade, a gymnasium and family life center. In 2005, the school purchased a nearby building for the preschool and youth center.
Beyond his academic responsibilities, Keith was active with the youth in his church, and developed community-wide programs that promoted positive intergenerational activities. He became a certified lay minister in the Lutheran church in 2008. He cherished the time he got to spend supporting his grandkids in their activities as well mentoring other youth in the community.
Keith was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Clara Jopp; father-in-law and mother-in-law Wilbur and Leota Gerken, as well as bother Terry Jopp, sister, Bonnie Eberle and brother-in-law Gerald Harrington.
Keith is survived by his loving family: wife Janet; daughters Tonya Gaona and husband Jeff Gaona of Wichita, KS, Jacque Durr and husband Matt Durr of Eudora, KS; Kim Grummitt of Cheney, KS, and Leah Rietz of Cheney, KS; grandchildren Ava Gaona, Blake and Halle Jopp, Garret Durr and Emma Durr as well as other extended family.
Casket Bearers were: Jeff Gaona, Matt Durr, Grady Jopp, Ryan Jopp, Greg Rosenhagen, Ed Laverentz and Loren Schomacker.
Memorials can be made to St. Paul's Lutheran School (639 N. Lincoln St. Cheney, Kansas 67025).
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