Joseph (Jerry) Chopski, 85

Published 10:34 am Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Joseph (Jerry) Chopski, 85, of Austin, Minn., died Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home in Austin.

Chopski

Joseph Gerald Chopski was born July 29, 1928, at Northfield, Minn., the son of Joseph P. and Frances (Koperski) Chopski. Jerry left high school to enlist in the U.S. Army.  He returned to Minnesota after being discharged and was married to Gladys Olhoeft at Waseca, Minn., on Oct. 18, 1949.

Jerry was employed as the shipping manager with the Weyerhaeuser Company until his retirement. He was an active member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church where he served as an usher for more than 25 years, a volunteer with the Meals on Wheels program and a member of the Conservation Club. Jerry was a lifelong member of both the American Legion and the VFW, and was a member of the American Legion Color Guard and funeral escort. He was appointed to and served on the Fire Commission for several years. He served as the Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 124 and during his years as Scout Master he received the Silver Scout Award, Silver Beaver Award and the Lamb Award.

Jerry was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting and the Hormel Nature Center. He had a passion for his garden and lawn. Jerry loved spending time with his family and especially his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph P. and Frances Chopski and an infant sister.

Jerry is survived by his wife Gladys Chopski, of Austin; daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Mike Waltz, of Allen, Texas; grandson and wife, Bret and Katherine Waltz, of McKinney, Texas; grandson, Tyler Waltz, of Allen.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with Todd Porting, AiM officiating. Interment will be at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.  Austin Post 91 American Legion is in charge of military rites. Visitation will be at the church on Thursday morning for one hour before the service. Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be designated to the donor’s choice.