GEORGE KOOP

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GEORGE KOOP On September 22, 2015, George Koop was released from the frailties of his human body into the presence of his Lord. He will be lovingly remembered by his brother Dan, age 101, his sister-in-law Agnes Koop, 31 nieces and nephews and their families. He was predeceased by his father Peter and mother Anna (nee Martens), sister Helen and husband David Pauls, his brothers and their wives Peter (Liese), Jake (Aggie), John (Erika), Henry, sisters-in-law Helen, Anne and Helen, and two nieces Dorothy Pauls and Jane Brown. He was born on March 8, 1920 in Gnadenfeld, Zagradovka, Russia. He was born shortly after his father was murdered during the turmoil after the Russian revolution and was the youngest of the seven children. In 1928 via a sponsorship through the Mennonite Central Committee, his widowed mother gathered her seven children and made the long trek to Canada. After several moves they settled in Sperling, Manitoba where they farmed together. In the mid-forties George and his mother joined family members in Winnipeg where he honed his carpentry skills. Over the years George became an accomplished finishing carpenter and builder, building many homes including his own. He was a kind, gentle man, humble, and quiet, offering care and support to many. He was a man of many talents, able to fix almost anything, and generously shared his skills helping out his family and friends. He was always delighted when people came to his home and took keen interest in their stories, activities and accomplishments. He had an exceptional green thumb thus able to surround himself with flourishing plants indoors and out. He was fiercely independent, living life on his own terms, preparing his own meals and maintaining his yard and vehicles until his last day. Special thanks to Charlotte and Don Livingston for their loving care for their sweet Uncle George. He will be missed. Funeral services will be held at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street, Tuesday, September 29, 10:30 a.m. Viewing prior to the service. Interment will follow at the Sperling, Manitoba Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. following the service. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Mennonite Central Committee 134 Plaza Drive, Winnipeg, MB R3T 5K9 . FRIENDS FUNERAL SERVICE 204-339-5555

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 26, 2015