Dean Wilke Koppes

Dean Wilke Koppes died at Kidron Bethel Healthcare in North Newton, Kansas, on May 30, 2022, about a month short of his 93rd birthday.

He was born on July 6, 1929, in Newton, Kansas, the second son of Daniel Atlee Koppes & Melinda (Wilke) Koppes of North Newton, Kansas. He attended Cooper Grade School, Bethel Academy at Bethel College, and graduated from Newton High School in 1947. In the early 1950s his voluntary service work was at the State Mental Hospital in Topeka, Kansas, and a medical hospital in Madison, Wisconsin.  After voluntary service he continued working with his parents on their dairy farm on West 24th Street in North Newton, Kansas. During this time, he also worked for several years at the Newton Ice Plant. In 1959 he began working at the Gas Service Company located on West 6th Street in Newton. He retired from the Gas Service Company in August 1991.  It was while at the gas company that fellow workers got him interested in bowling. That sport became his passion, and he won many trophies over the years. He spent 17 years as the City Secretary for the Newton Bowling Association. For a number of years, he also served as a Board Director with the Kansas State Bowling Association.

He met Linda Ikerd when she worked at the Gas Service Company. They were married on October 11, 1969. Twin boys, Roger Alan and Kerry Dean, completed the family on July 30, 1971.

He is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, and numerous grandchildren. Roger and his wife Brandy live in Kenai, Alaska. Kerry and his wife Krista live in Windsor, Colorado. He is also survived by two daughters from a previous marriage. Kayla D. Koppes lives in Florida. Rhonda Ruth Koppes Schafer lives in Lanexa, Virginia.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Clinton Clarence Koppes.

A graveside memorial service will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Newton, Kansas, on Friday, June 3, 2022, at 10 a.m. Visitation time with the family will be at the gravesite immediately following the service.  Memorials are suggested to Kidron Bethel Village or Bethel College Mennonite Church. Petersen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.