Glen E. Jopp

Glen E. Jopp, age 79 of Shenandoah, IA and formerly of Malvern, IA died at the Ambasador Care Center in Sidney, IA on October 8, 2010.

Glen Elroy Jopp, one of two children of Lyra Evelyn (Stekl) Jopp and Merton Maynard Jopp, was born in Forestburg, South Dakota on June 10, 1931. Glen grew up and attended school in Forestburg. He excelled in basketball and graduated from high school in 1949. Following school, he worked as a truck driver for Summit Construction in Rapid City, South Dakota. On March 20, 1952, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he was a sharp shooter and served in the Signal Corps. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.

Glen and Marion Marie Boortz were married on November 30, 1952, in Aiken, South Carolina while Glen was serving in the military. Following his discharge from the service in February of 1954, Glen attended South Dakota State College, where in 1958; he earned his bachelor's degree in agriculture. For awhile, Glen worked with a road crew and he and Marion lived in Valentine, Nebraska. They also lived in other communities in South Dakota, including Brookings and Rapid City. They later returned in 1965 to Valentine, Nebraska. In 1970, they moved to Dell Rapids, South Dakota where Glen worked as a traveling salesmen for 20 years for the Thomas Murphy Company of Red Oak, Iowa. In 1972, they moved to a farm south of Malvern, Iowa. Their marriage was blessed with five children, Judy Ann, Larry Dean, David Merton, Ivan Glen, and Ann Marie.

In 1974, Glen began working in Shenandoah, Iowa where he was a machine operator for the Eaton Corporation for 20 years. In 1992, Glen moved to live in Shenandoah and in 1996, he retired. During his years of working, he had also driven a bus for the school districts of Malvern, Shenandoah, Sidney, and Hamburg.

On September 17, 2006, Glen and Thelma Lucille (Gardner) Collins were united in marriage in Sidney, Iowa. They made their home in Shenandoah.

Glen was a member of the Shenandoah American Legion and the Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels. His other enjoyments included camping, bicycle riding, exercise and walking. He loved all animals, especially dogs. Glen was a generous person and could always be found helping someone.

Glen passed away at the Ambassador Care Center in Sidney, Iowa on October 8, 2010, at the age of 79 years, 3 months, and 28 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lyra and Merton Jopp; son Larry Jopp in 1992; infant grandson Ryan Jopp and grandson David "Digger" Jopp; sister Doris Rossknecht; and step granddaughter Kathleen Mathis.

Glen is survived by his wife Thelma L. Jopp of Shenandoah; children, Judy Bruce and husband Alan of Malvern, David Jopp and wife Brigid of Papillion, NE, Ivan Jopp and wife Gretchen, and Ann Chickering and husband Todd, all of Malvern; eight grandchildren, Joe Bruce and Jesse Bruce, Robert Jopp, Justin, Andrew, and Eilis Jopp; and Brook and Kinley Chickering; two step children, Gene Collins and wife Lou of Thurman, IA and Sheila Sjulin of Hennepin, IL; five step grandchildren and four step great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Shenandoah Food Pantry or Hospice of Donor's Choice.