John Koop

John Koop, age 87, passed away on Thursday, January 4, 2018 at the Cypress Regional Hospital, Swift Current, SK. John was born November 2, 1930 on the family farm south of Blumenort, SK one of six children born to Jacob & Elizabeth Koop. He attended school in Blumenort, and worked for different farmers in the area, also at the Neville garage.

On November 1, 1952 he and Mary “Molly” Hildebrandt were married in Swift Current, their reception was held on the Hildebrandt farm west of Wymark, SK. Shortly after their wedding, John & Molly started their own farm. He loved having livestock, but John’s first love was horses. He began buying and selling horses, he especially loved making “the deal.” He bought and sold up to 800 horses a year, and made many friends throughout the years. John & Molly had four children — Brian, Cheri, Randy, and Pam — and life was never dull in the Koop household. John enjoyed attending horse and auction sales, and he especially loved taking Brian and Randy to horse shows. He played softball in his early years, and coached junior and senior hockey — even taking the John’s Autobody team to the championship.

The family enjoyed going to Lac Pelletier in the summers, camping trips to Yellowstone, Cypress Hills, the Black Hills, and B.C. and many trips to Malta, Montana. One thing John was particularly fond of was caring for his yard. He was a talented landscaper and planted thousands of trees on and around the farmyard, which he loved watching his children water and weed. John loved the land, and nothing could beat watching a prairie sunrise.

John leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 65 years, Molly Koop; his children, Brian (Leah) Koop, Cheri (Jack) Chalmers, Randy (Alice) Koop, and Pam (Dean) Angell; his grandchildren, Marissa (James), Crystal (Trevor), David (Chantelle): Jonathan (Amie), Christine (Bill), Joelle (Michael): Justin, Ashely (Cody), Colton: Sharaya, Kaden, and Kash; his twelve great-grandchildren; his sister, Hilda; and by his in-laws, Sally, Betsy, Henry, Helen, and Ann. John was predeceased by his parents, Jacob & Elizabeth; his siblings, Jake, Betty, Ann, and Martha; his parents-in-law, Abe & Tina; and by his in-laws, Kathy, Ike, and Pete.

The Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at 2:00 pm from the Trailview Alliance Church, Swift Current, SK with Pastor Blaire Froese officiating. The pianist for the service was Betsy Weiser with Henry Hildebrandt leading the congregation in singing, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.”  The tribute was shared by Jonathan Chalmers, the obituary was read by Dean Angell. Special music was brought by Molly’s Siblings – the Hildebrandt Family singing, “Precious Lord Take My Hand.” The ushers in the church were Donald Friesen, Lionel Wall, Bob Krahn, and Trevor Regier. The Private Family Interment Service preceded the Funeral Service from Hillcrest Cemetery, Swift Current, SK with John’s grandsons, Jonathan Chalmers, David Koop, Justin Koop, Colton Koop, Kaden Angell, and Kash Angell serving as pallbearers.

In memory of John Koop, donations made to Samaritan’s Purse – water project would be appreciated by the family.   

 Service Information