Russell Kopplow, 78
Russell J. Kopplow, 78, of Lonsdale, died Saturday, April 23, 2011 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, following an extended illness.
Russell, a son of Charles and Lillian (Reinart) Kopplow, was born on April 26, 1932, in Ludington, MI. His family moved to Bird Island, and Russell attended St. Mary's High School and graduated with the class of 1951. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, and was honorably discharged in 1955. Russell then worked as a journeyman carpenter for a short time. On June 6, 1959, he married Kathryn Wiley in Kellogg. They later divorced. In 1962, he started a 20-year career with the Minneapolis Police Department, retiring in 1982. He then began a 13-year career as a custodial engineer at Burnsville High School. Among Russell's passions in life were his beloved farm near Lonsdale, on which he lived since 1968, restoring his 1951 Massey Ferguson 135 tractor, woodworking and motorcycling. He was a member of the NRA, the Minneapolis Police Federation, Gold Wing Road Riders Association, and the LST 325. He was an avid supporter of the National Right to Life.
He is survived by his ex-wife; children Joseph (Janet) Kopplow, Tetonia, ID, Barbara Lynn (known as Sydney K. Wiley), Chicago, IL, and Susan (Bob) Erpenbach, Faribault; four grandchildren Jacob Kopplow, Kathryn Kopplow, Bryan Olson and Michael Olson; a sister Carol Arseneau, Blaine; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and an infant sister Mary Louise Kopplow.
A Traditional Latin Burial Mass will be held Thursday, April 28, at 10 a.m., at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Society of Saint Pius X, 875 Manomin Ave., in West St. Paul.
Interment with full military honors will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at 1 p.m.
Visitation was held at the Lonsdale American Legion on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m., and will continue at the church on Thursday for one hour prior to services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to The Fatima Center, 17000 State Route 30, Constable, NY 12926.
Arrangements are being completed by the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault.
