Funeral Home and On- Site Crematory Location:
2659 John F. Kennedy Road
Dubuque
IA
52002
 Phone: 563-556-0776
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In Memory of
Norma Jean
Koppen (McNamer)
Koppen (McNamer)
1931 - 2017
Memorial Candle Tribute From
Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Funeral Home and Crematory
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Obituary for Norma Jean Koppen (McNamer)
At the age of 85 Norma Jean McNamer Koppen completed her journey.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at the Egelhof,Siegert and Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory 2659 John F. Kennedy Rd.where friends may call from Wednesday from 4 to 8 pm. Burial will be in Dubuque Memorial Gardens
She had such a zest for life and others. It was love at first sight when Francis and she met, and were married. They were blessed with four children and always worked together as a team building their home. Norma Jean always had a great passion for her God, family, friends, nature and animals. She never met a stranger.
She was a graduate of Clinton nursing college in the 60s and was employed at St. Joseph Sanitarium, later to join the Dubuque Police Department. Norma, as a side line of work, graduated from Riesch Auctioneering College, being the first woman auctioneer in Dubuque and started her own auction service. She started 1st Flea Markets in this area and promoted one for 30 years.
When the new jail was built, having a passion for the jail, went on to become the Dubuque County Jail administrator, where she retired after 25 years of Law enforcement. During that time she orchestrated the Rape center through the jail. She directed and taught jail training all over the state of Iowa and also coordinated a Jail Ministry, and after retirement participated in the Women's Jail Ministry. For over 20 years she has participated in the Women's Health Initiative Program at the Iowa University, and also at Loma Linda University in California.
In her 85 years she tackled and accomplished many aspects in life, never afraid to try. Her saying was "Nothing ventured is nothing gained" and always encouraged others to feel the same. Just a few of her hobbies were furniture refinishing, wood working, tole and china painting, house painting, designing and decorating faberge like eggs which were sold over the US, writing 3 books, landscaping, flowers and was a Master Gardener. She was an active member and Deaconess of the Seventh- day Adventist Church.
Surviving is her husband, Francis R. Koppen; 2 sons, Ronald C. Koppen, of Dubuque and Jerome F. (Julie) Koppen, of East Dubuque; granddaughter, Paula Jean Hammel, of Stockton, IL; grandson, Jayde Griffin; and two great grandchildren, Derrick Jansen of Dubuque and Brittani (Tony) Zammit, of Eau Claire, WI; great- great grandson, Michael Zammit; step sister, Alice Budd, of Cassville, WI; and her dog and close companion, Jordan, her Yorkie.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Barbara Jean Parr; a son, Steven; great- granddaughter, Ashley Lynn; parents; Frank and Della McNamer; and 8 siblings.
In lieu of flowers, a Norma Koppen Memorial Fund has been established.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at the Egelhof,Siegert and Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory 2659 John F. Kennedy Rd.where friends may call from Wednesday from 4 to 8 pm. Burial will be in Dubuque Memorial Gardens
She had such a zest for life and others. It was love at first sight when Francis and she met, and were married. They were blessed with four children and always worked together as a team building their home. Norma Jean always had a great passion for her God, family, friends, nature and animals. She never met a stranger.
She was a graduate of Clinton nursing college in the 60s and was employed at St. Joseph Sanitarium, later to join the Dubuque Police Department. Norma, as a side line of work, graduated from Riesch Auctioneering College, being the first woman auctioneer in Dubuque and started her own auction service. She started 1st Flea Markets in this area and promoted one for 30 years.
When the new jail was built, having a passion for the jail, went on to become the Dubuque County Jail administrator, where she retired after 25 years of Law enforcement. During that time she orchestrated the Rape center through the jail. She directed and taught jail training all over the state of Iowa and also coordinated a Jail Ministry, and after retirement participated in the Women's Jail Ministry. For over 20 years she has participated in the Women's Health Initiative Program at the Iowa University, and also at Loma Linda University in California.
In her 85 years she tackled and accomplished many aspects in life, never afraid to try. Her saying was "Nothing ventured is nothing gained" and always encouraged others to feel the same. Just a few of her hobbies were furniture refinishing, wood working, tole and china painting, house painting, designing and decorating faberge like eggs which were sold over the US, writing 3 books, landscaping, flowers and was a Master Gardener. She was an active member and Deaconess of the Seventh- day Adventist Church.
Surviving is her husband, Francis R. Koppen; 2 sons, Ronald C. Koppen, of Dubuque and Jerome F. (Julie) Koppen, of East Dubuque; granddaughter, Paula Jean Hammel, of Stockton, IL; grandson, Jayde Griffin; and two great grandchildren, Derrick Jansen of Dubuque and Brittani (Tony) Zammit, of Eau Claire, WI; great- great grandson, Michael Zammit; step sister, Alice Budd, of Cassville, WI; and her dog and close companion, Jordan, her Yorkie.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Barbara Jean Parr; a son, Steven; great- granddaughter, Ashley Lynn; parents; Frank and Della McNamer; and 8 siblings.
In lieu of flowers, a Norma Koppen Memorial Fund has been established.
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