Kenneth James Koupal

Kenneth James Koupal was born November 1, 1936, in Wagner, SD, son of Emil and Agnes (Hron) Koupal.  As a young teenager, his family moved to Reinbeck where he attended high school.  While still in school, Kenny developed his lifelong commitment to hard work when he began to work for Wheeler's Appliance, learning how to make repairs, and at a gas station.  After high school, he went to work full time for Smitty's Tire & Appliances and married Erna Baumgartner on August 16, 1957, at the Lutheran Church in Elgin.  After two years of marriage, he was drafted into the United States Army serving for two years in Fort Riley, Kansas.  After an honorable discharge, Kenny returned to his family and his work at Smitty's where he eventually became part owner.  After 42 years of working, he retired then drove bus for the Cedar Falls Community School District for 14 years.  Kenny had an artistic flair and enjoyed drawing and woodworking in his enviable workshop full of tools.  One of his special woodworking projects was birdhouses.  Kenny also enjoyed fishing.  One of his hobbies was hunting for and picking up items to bring home, fix and sell.  Kenny was very organized and knew where to find anything and everything in his workshop.

Kenny passed away at the age of 82 years on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at the Western Home Community's Deery Suites in Cedar Falls.  He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Sylvan.  Kenny is survived by his wife of nearly 62 years, Erna; two daughters, Kendra (Tom) Paige of Waterloo and Tracey (Matt) Kopecky of Holmen, WI; seven grandchildren:  Michael (Deserae) Paige of Cedar Rapids, Andrew (Diana) Paige of Waterloo, Anna (David) Conrad of Aplington, Rachel (Chris Fogerty, fiancé) Paige of Redmond, WA, Taylor Kopecky of Eau Claire, WI, Caitlin Kopecky of La Crosse, WI, and Carson Kopecky of Holmen, WI; 5 great-grandchildren:  Lucas, Zoey, Penny, Nicholas, and Felicity; a sister-in-law, Wanda Koupal of Cedar Falls; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be directed to Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church, Cedar Valley Hospice or to the family.