David JOUPPE

June 7, 1940 - March 22, 2025

Valleyford - David Jacob Jouppe, age 84, passed into the presence of Jesus on March 22, 2025, in Spokane Valley, Washington.

David was born June 7, 1940, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, to Jacob "Jack" Arvid Jouppe and Daisy Mildred Jouppe (nee Barberg). He had a twin brother, Donald, and three older sisters, Vernice, Luverne and Joan. His mother died of tuberculosis when he was about two, leaving his aunts and extended family to care for him and his siblings.

David graduated from Marshall High School in 1958 and then went to Northwestern Radio & TV Institute where he got his FCC license. David was hired by the Great Northern Railway in 1961 as a "radioman" and they sent him from St. Paul, MN, to Seattle, WA. He installed and repaired radios in train engines, cabooses, and depots. Shortly after arriving in Seattle, he was deployed to help install radio relay communications inside the 7.8-mile Cascade tunnel near Skykomish, WA.

In 1962, he met Frances Seton, working in a diner near his work. They were married June 15, 1963, and moved to Skykomish, WA, where they welcomed daughter, Kristin, and son, Matthew, within a few years. They moved to the Spokane Valley in 1974, and in a few years to Valleyford.

David's job as a "radioman" changed to "electronic technician" and he continued as the Great Northern Railway became part of Burlington Northern and finally BNSF, where he retired in May 2002 with 41 years' service.

David is survived by his wife of 61 years, Frances; children, daughter, Kristin (Mark) Shipman and son, Matt Jouppe; as well as grandchildren, Joshua (Dancy Dawn) Shipman, Austin (Ayrianna) Jouppe, David Shipman, Isaiah (Stephanie) Shipman, Sarah Shipman, Zachary Shipman, and Jasper Baker-Jouppe. Also,great-grandchildren: Alexander, Camber, Shayden, Aria, and Alanna.

Memorial services will be held April 12, 2025, at the Valleyford Community Church, at 1pm.