Obituary of Joel Edwin Koopman

Koopman, Joel E. age 84, died on January 7, 2020 of complications from a 20 year battle against Parkinson's. Joel is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jan, his two children Tom (Constance) Koopman of Eagan and Ann (Rob) DeHoff of Minneapolis and his two grandchildren Sophie and Toby. Born on November 29, 1935, Joel grew up on a farm in southwestern Minnesota near Ivanhoe. He served in the U.S. Army before graduating from the University of Minnesota in 1962 with a degree in agricultural journalism and economics. Joel worked for Webb Publishing Company, then his own company, Koopman Market Communications until he retired in 1997. Married in 1963, Joel and Jan lived in Bloomington for 47 years before moving to Parkshore senior apartments in 2016. Joel loved to golf, play bridge, fish and entertain at the pool. He enjoyed a full life with family and friends in spite of his battle with Parkinson's. Joel was kind, loving, generous, easy going and will be deeply missed. An open house celebration of Joel's life will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2020 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Parkshore Senior Campus, 3663 Park Center Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Parkinson's Foundation.