Obituary of Leonard Koop

View Video Tribute Jacob Leonard Koop was born to Sarah (Fast) and Jacob Koop on April 13, 1930 in Joes, Colorado. His mother, Sarah, died 10 days after he was born and he was raised in Joes by Sarah’s sister and her husband, Anna and Herman Warkentine. Leonard passed away on July 15, 2007 at the Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital in Burlington, CO at the age of 77. Leonard attended school in Joes, CO and graduated in 1949. On July 30, 1950, Leonard married Lucille Finley. To this union 4 children were born: Leonard Allen, Gary, Karen and Sharon. Leonard had 7 grandchildren and 1 great grandson that he cherished very much. Leonard did his military service in Germany from 1951 – 1953 when he was honorably discharged. Leonard worked for the State Highway Department in Burlington and Steamboat Springs, CO. After moving back to Burlington he owned The Lawn Shop. Later he became a Rural Mail Carrier retiring in 1990. He also spent several years working for Love Funeral Home. Leonard’s love of nature could be found throughout his many different jobs – from managing the grounds of Prairie Pines Golf Course to the several years he took care of the City of Burlington’s medians on Rose Ave. Most recently he spent his time at the beautiful grounds of Carousel Park. He was an active and faithful member of the Burlington Evangelical Free Church. Grandpa Jake, as he was affectionately known by his family, was a man of honor, faith and love of family. He left us all with memories we will cherish for a lifetime. He was preceded in death by his parents, his parents who raised him, his brother, John Koop, an infant son, Leonard Allen and infant granddaughter, Sarah Morgan Vance. He is survived by his loving wife, Lucille of 57 years, his son Gary and wife, Tammy, daughters, Karen Briegel and husband Gordon and Sharon Vance and husband, Mike, all of Burlington. Also surviving him are 7 grandchildren, Brian Koop, Lindsay Koop, Collin Koop, Kendra Briegel, Kari Briegel, Annie Humrich and husband Chris, and Griff Vance along with great grandson Rowdy Cru Humrich, a brother Dave Koop of Reedley, CA, and sisters Bertha McCall of Arvada, CO and Joan Misenheimer of Marietta, GA, and sister-in-law Malinda Koop of CA. Funeral services for Leonard were held on Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 10:30 AM at the Evangelical Free Church in Burlington, CO with Pastor Ron Lee officiating. Burial followed at 2:30 PM at the Joes Cemetery, Joes, CO. Visitation was held on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Love Funeral Home, Burlington, Colorado. Memorials may be made in Leonard’s name to the Evangelical Free Church and may be left at the Bank of the West, Burlington, Colorado.