Eileen Koopal, 73, Blooming Prairie

Published 10:27 am Monday, March 11, 2013

Eileen Koopal, 73, of rural Blooming Prairie, Minn., died Friday, March 8, 2013, in the comfort of her home.

Eileen Koopal

Eileen Gilbertson was born June 29, 1939, in Albert Lea, Minn., to Jason and June (Walswick) Gilbertson. She attended Austin High School and graduated in 1957. On Aug. 29, 1959, Eileen married William “Bill” Koopal at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin. The couple raised two daughters. Eileen was employed at Hormel in the clerical department for 40 years, retiring in 1997. She was a lifelong member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church and, with her charitable heart, was an active member of numerous organizations, including Y’s women, Dorcas Quilters and a 4-H leader. Her greatest joy was following her grandchildren around the country watching them participate in their sporting events. She was a generous person willing to treat the grandchildren by taking them shopping and helping them become successful. Eileen also enjoyed antiquing and attending auctions.

Survivors include her husband William “Bill” Koopal of rural Blooming Prairie; her daughters, Kellee (Marti) DeMay of St. Peters, Mo., and Kathi (Rick Overocker) Armstrong of Albert Lea, Minn.; four grandchildren, Travis Armstrong, Stacie Armstrong, Tyler DeMay and Carter DeMay; sisters and brother, Sandy (Bill) Dalquist of Rochester, Denny (Cheryl) Gilbertson of White Bear Lake and Jeneielle (Jim) Soucek of Austin as well as several nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Jason and June Gilbertson and her brother Dean Gilbertson.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 13, 2013, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin with Todd Portinga, AIM, officiating. Visitation will take place from 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, March 12 at the Worlein Funeral Home and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be in Woodbury Cemetery, Lyle, Minn. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the St. Olaf Lutheran Church Building Fund. Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.