Leo was the youngest of 17 children. He was born July 10, 1918, in Ordway. He was the son of John Joseph Kopetsky and Agnes Fisher. He attended Barnard High School in South Dakota and graduated as class valedictorian in 1938. He was captain of his football and basketball team. Leo was awarded a scholarship to a business school in Grand Island, Neb., where he was the first one in his family to attend college.
He married the love of his life, Vera Lahr, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Aberdeen on July 7, 1941. To this union, they were blessed with four children. They farmed in the Frederick area until 1955, and then moved to Aberdeen, where Leo worked out of the Aberdeen Post Office. In June 1968, he was able to trade assignments with a mail carrier from Littleton, Colo. As a Littleton mail carrier, he received numerous awards for his exemplary service and was much appreciated by the patrons on his route for his happy-go-lucky attitude and always having a smile on his face. He retired in 1988 from the Littleton Post Office.
In 2005, Leo and Vera moved to Sun City West, Ariz. After his wife's passing, Leo spent much time with his devoted son, Curt, who was a member of the West Coast Challengers. Leo accompanied Curt on many of their excursions and was affectionately known as "Pops" by the club's super members. Leo was very energetic and loved to take long morning walks, tend his garden, watch the Pacific Ocean waves and visit Catalina Island.
Leo had a very special place in the family's heart. He was a kind, gentle, caring father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He always welcomed family and friends with a big smile, a helping hand, and made them feel very special.
Survivors include sons: Leo Kopetsky Jr., and his wife, Carol, of Yankton; and Curt Kopetsky of Santa Ana, Calif.; daughters: Gloria and her husband, Don Goeden, of Sioux City, Iowa; and Sandra and her husband, Bruce Weber, of Scottsdale, Ariz; grandchildren: Gregg, Clark and Ken Koptetsky; Jennifer and husband, Wayne DeStefano; and Scott Weber and wife, Melissa; great-grandchildren: Alexander, Briana, Aubrey and Dominic DeStefano; a sister, Martha Hine, of Aberdeen; and brother-in-law, Leonard Lahr and wife, Dorothy, Frederick; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Vera; his parents; seven brothers; and eight sisters.
Our beloved Dad will be dearly missed by his family.