Clear-minded to the end, Abe Koop passed away at the age of 98. The youngest son of Elizabeth (Enns) and John Koop, Abe was born near Mountain Lake, MN. The family moved to Brisbane, ND where Abe met "that cute little redheaded girl" Loretta Spielman, the love of his remaining life. Married on August 5, 1928, in Mandan, ND, they recently celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary. In 1934, the Great Depression and Dust Bowl of the 1930s forced the Koop's exit from farming. After moving to the Oregon/Washington area, Abe helped build the Bonneville Dam and became a life-long member of the Operating Engineers. Moving to Easton in 1944, he became the first in Fresno to operate the new International Harvester front-end loader. He started Abe's Excavation in 1945. Abe enjoyed a loving partnership with his wife that strengthened his ability to successfully provide for his family. As members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Cortez and Airstream Travel Clubs, Abe and Loretta were active travelers in retirement.
On Pop's last evening, Mom, whose memory is not always clear, came over to Pop's bed, touched his head, and said simply "I love you, Pop." After hearing her assure him that she would be all right, Pop took his last breath and left us.
He is survived by his wife, Loretta Spielman Koop; three children and their spouses, Tom and Della Koop, Dick and Rose Koop and Barbara and John Hix; 12 grandchildren and eight spouses; 13 great-grandchildren and three spouses; and four great-great grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Jude Catholic Church in Easton on October 18, 2005. PAGE FUNERAL CHAPEL
Published in the Fresno Bee
On Pop's last evening, Mom, whose memory is not always clear, came over to Pop's bed, touched his head, and said simply "I love you, Pop." After hearing her assure him that she would be all right, Pop took his last breath and left us.
He is survived by his wife, Loretta Spielman Koop; three children and their spouses, Tom and Della Koop, Dick and Rose Koop and Barbara and John Hix; 12 grandchildren and eight spouses; 13 great-grandchildren and three spouses; and four great-great grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Jude Catholic Church in Easton on October 18, 2005. PAGE FUNERAL CHAPEL
Published in the Fresno Bee
Clear-minded to the end, Abe Koop passed away at the age of 98. The youngest son of Elizabeth (Enns) and John Koop, Abe was born near Mountain Lake, MN. The family moved to Brisbane, ND where Abe met "that cute little redheaded girl" Loretta Spielman, the love of his remaining life. Married on August 5, 1928, in Mandan, ND, they recently celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary. In 1934, the Great Depression and Dust Bowl of the 1930s forced the Koop's exit from farming. After moving to the Oregon/Washington area, Abe helped build the Bonneville Dam and became a life-long member of the Operating Engineers. Moving to Easton in 1944, he became the first in Fresno to operate the new International Harvester front-end loader. He started Abe's Excavation in 1945. Abe enjoyed a loving partnership with his wife that strengthened his ability to successfully provide for his family. As members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Cortez and Airstream Travel Clubs, Abe and Loretta were active travelers in retirement.
On Pop's last evening, Mom, whose memory is not always clear, came over to Pop's bed, touched his head, and said simply "I love you, Pop." After hearing her assure him that she would be all right, Pop took his last breath and left us.
He is survived by his wife, Loretta Spielman Koop; three children and their spouses, Tom and Della Koop, Dick and Rose Koop and Barbara and John Hix; 12 grandchildren and eight spouses; 13 great-grandchildren and three spouses; and four great-great grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Jude Catholic Church in Easton on October 18, 2005. PAGE FUNERAL CHAPEL
Published in the Fresno Bee
On Pop's last evening, Mom, whose memory is not always clear, came over to Pop's bed, touched his head, and said simply "I love you, Pop." After hearing her assure him that she would be all right, Pop took his last breath and left us.
He is survived by his wife, Loretta Spielman Koop; three children and their spouses, Tom and Della Koop, Dick and Rose Koop and Barbara and John Hix; 12 grandchildren and eight spouses; 13 great-grandchildren and three spouses; and four great-great grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Jude Catholic Church in Easton on October 18, 2005. PAGE FUNERAL CHAPEL
Published in the Fresno Bee
Bio by: RowWalker
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