Ralph Kopaska, Jr.

Ralph "Bud" Kopaska, 76, of Atlantic, IA, (formerly of Casey) passed away Friday, December 21, 2007, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa, battling a lengthy illness with kidney failure.

Ralph "Bud" Kopaska Jr. was born October 7, 1931, in Guthrie County, Iowa, the son of Ralph Frank, Sr. and Clara Alice (Shank) Kopaska. He grew up in Redfield, Iowa, attended school there, and worked on the farm. He lived in Casey, Iowa, for many years after that.

He served his country in the Army from 1952 - 1954 during the Korean Conflict.

On July 14, 1956, Bud married Janette Anderson in Casey at the United Methodist Church.

Bud worked over 39 years for Firestone in Des Moines, Iowa, as a mill operator, although in his heart, his desire was to be a farmer. He and his wife, Janette had a stump cutting business.

Bud was a member of the Snappy Stepper Square Dance Club and the Firestone/Bridgestone Local 310 in Des Moines. He enjoyed taking bus trips, tinkering around the acreage, farm work and working in his garage. He was a fix-it man and was very talented and knowledgeable about many things, a jack of all trades. He loved his grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with friends and going out to eat.

Surviving Bud are his three sons, Darrell Kopaska and Darwin Kopaska both of Dallas, Texas, and Dennis Kopaska of West Des Moines, Iowa; his very special "daughter" Denise Kopaska of West Des Moines, Iowa; his grandchildren, Amanda Kopaska of Boone, Iowa and Caleb Kopaska of West Des Moines, Iowa; his sister, Rosella Sheler and her husband, Bob of Seattle, Washington; his brothers, Ernest Kopaska and his wife, Dorothy of Dexter, Iowa, Jim Kopaska of Casey, Iowa, and Joe Kopaska and his wife, Charlotte of Guthrie Center, Iowa; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Preceding Bud in death were his parents, Ralph and Clara Kopaska; his wife Janette; sister Doris Stone; brother, Harold Kopaska; sister, Helen Curry; and sister, Phyllis Ruggles.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 27, 2007, at 1:00 p.m., at the United Methodist Church in Casey, Iowa. Visitation with family will be on Wednesday, December 26, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., also at the United Methodist Church in Casey. Burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery, Casey, Iowa. The family invites their friends and relatives to lunch and fellowship in the church fellowship hall following the committal service.

Memorials may be directed to the Dialysis Center, 1500 E. 10th St., Atlantic, Iowa, 50022 or to the Heritage House, 1200 Brookridge Circle, Atlantic, Iowa, 50022, in Ralph "Bud" Kopaska's name.

Hockenberry-Mullen Funeral Home in Casey, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.