Burel Ralph Koppes
Burel Ralph Koppes
Burel Ralph Koppes of
Boise died at home on Thursday, April 18, 2019 at the age of 92. Private
Graveside Committal with Military Honors will be held at the Idaho State
Veterans Cemetery. Arrangements are
under the care of Alden Waggoner Funeral Chapel.
Burel was born in
Boise, Idaho, on August 29, 1926, to Ralph and
Blanche (Mulkey) Koppes.
He attended Boise
Public Schools, graduating from Boise High School in 1945.
He was a member of
the US Army Air Force, Air Cadet Reserves from July, 1944 to January,
1945.
He was on active duty from
January, 1945 to February, 1946.
He attended Boise
Junior College (BSU); Mexico City College and the College of Idaho;
graduating from the College of Idaho in 1953
with a BS Degree in Zoology.
Between 1953 and
1958, Burel was a Salesman; Lab Technician at St. Alphonsus Hospital and Teacher
at Melba High School.
In 1958 he went to
work for the Department of Employment (Labor) in Lewiston, Idaho.
He managed the Bonners Ferry office of the
DOE from 1961 to 1962 and the Mountain Home office from 1962 to September of 1963.
He transferred to the Boise local office for
two months then moved on to the Research and Analysis Division in the Administrative
office until October of 1975.
He worked
briefly for the Finance Department of the State of Idaho from October of 1975
until July of 1978.
He went to work
again for the DOE in Caldwell as Nampa/Caldwell Area Labor Market Analyst.
He transferred back to the Research and
Analysis Division in the Administrative Office in Boise where he was employed
until he retired in August of 1996, ending a thirty-eight year career with the
State of Idaho.
Burel and Sharron
Lutton were married in Winnemucca, Nevada, on January 19, 1968; the beginning of
51 years filled with treasured memories.
He loved his family, home and friends.
He enjoyed family trips to
Canada, the Oregon Coast, Disneyland, Sun Valley, McCall and time spent at
their cabin in Centerville, Idaho.
He had an artistic
talent that was inherited by both of his children.
He drew thousands of cartoons over the
years.
He liked to sketch caricatures of
people.
He enjoyed reading, writing,
public speaking and playing Pinochle with friends and family.
While
relaxing in his favorite chair, one or more of the family pets was in his lap
or next to his feet.
We all were
captivated by the stories he told about the many misadventures he encountered during
his teenage years and well into his Twenties! It is possible his Thirties were affected too! We are glad you survived so we could have you
in our lives into your Nineties! You
gave us many special memories. You will
be forever in our hearts. We Love
You!
Burel was a member of
the AF & AM Lodge #1, Boise, Idaho and the Scottish Rite Bodies Order of
Idaho, 32
nd
Degree. He was
Associate Guardian of Jobs Daughters Bethel #3 in Boise from 1972 to 1974. He served on various committees for the
Caldwell, Nampa and Meridian Chambers of Commerce and Meridian Kiwanis. He was a member of St. Marks Catholic
Church.
He was preceded in
death by his parents; his brother, Larry and two Sisters, Velma Koppes and
Carleene Kjelstrom.
He is survived by his
wife, Sharron; his Son, Christopher (Little Chris); his Daughter, Stephanie Koppes
of Boise and several nieces and nephews, including Great and Great-Great!
In lieu of flowers,
memorial contributions can be made to the Idaho Humane Society, Multiple
Sclerosis Society, American Cancer Society or your favorite charity.
Our family would like
to thank the caregivers of St. Alphonsus Hospital
and Complete Care Hospice of Boise for the
compassionate care they provided for Burel.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Burel Ralph Koppes, please visit our flower store.
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