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- [S927] Obituary.
Bernie D. Kopecky
October 19, 2008
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Aberdeen - Mass of Christian Burial for Bernie D. Kopecky, 77, of Aberdeen will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 20, 2008, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Aberdeen. Father Andrew Dickinson will be officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens with military rites by the Sidney L. Smith American Legion Post No. 24 of Aberdeen. Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Liturgical wake service will be 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008, at the mortuary. Visitation is 3-7 p.m. Sunday at the mortuary and one hour prior to the service Monday at the church. Friends may sign an online guestbook at www.schrivers memorial.com. Bernie died Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008, at ManorCare Health Services. Bernie D. Kopecky was born March 28, 1931, to Ernest and Ida (Berreth) Kopecky at Highmore, S.D. At a young age, he moved with his family to the Westport area. Bernie attended Westport Grade School and graduated from Westport High School in 1949. While in high school, he was active in all sports and especially excelled in basketball. Bernie entered the U.S. Marines in 1951. While serving active duty in the Korean War, he received three Purple Hearts. He later received the Silver Star from Congressman Tim Johnson. Bernie was a Marine Corporal at the time of his honorable discharge in 1953. Bernie married Helen Vetch June 20, 1955 in Aberdeen and they continued to make Aberdeen their life-long home. Bernie started working for the Brown County Sheriff's Department, serving as a Deputy Sheriff and later was elected Brown County Sheriff. In 1968, Bernie started his 30-year career selling real-estate. Together, Bernie and Helen started their own real-estate and brokerage business, which they operated for many years. Bernie was a member of the Sheriff Association, serving as President in 1963. Bernie served in the House of Representatives from 1969 to 1976 and was the Minority Leader from 1970 to 1972. He was a member of the Realtor Association serving as President in 1979. He also received the Realtor of the Year Award several times during his career. Bernie was a member of the Drift Busters Club and served as President. He was also an active member of Elks Lodge, Moose Lodge and the VFW. Bernie loved cooking. One special highlight was cooking chili in Washington D.C. for all the Congressman, and cooking for the South Dakota Legislators in Pierre. Bernie enjoyed the outdoors. He loved raising and riding quarter horses. He spent hours teaching his children how to ride. Bernie enjoyed hunting and the many hunting trips with his son; son-in-law, Tim; and his grandsons. His children also have many fond memories of snowmobiling trips during the winter months and summer vacations. Surviving Bernie are his wife, Helen, of Aberdeen; daughters, Vicky (Tom) Sieben, Sandra (Tim) Bergstrom, both of Aberdeen, and Kathleen (Kevin) Klein of Detroit Lakes, Minn.; one son, Gregory Kopecky of Frederick; grandchildren, Stephannie (Tom) Stiel, Christine Sieben, Tyler (Sarah) Bergstrom, Kelsey Bergstrom, Jennifer Klein, Dalton Kopecky and Shauntaye Kopecky; great-grandchildren, Matthew Stiel and Abigail Stiel; brothers, Melvin "Bud" (Connie) Kopecky of Mina, Marvin (Vicky) Kopecky of Aberdeen and Donald "Mick" (Judy) Brick of Aberdeen; and sisters, Darlene Hoon of Whitewood, S.D., and Sally (Joe) Elsperger of Bath, S.D. Bernie was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Donna Jean; brothers, David Kopecky, Robert, Kenny and Ronnie Brick Pallbearers will be Tyler Bergstrom, Kelsey Bergstrom, Stephannie Stiel, Christine Sieben, Jennifer Klein, Dalton Kopecky and Thomas Stiel.
- [S558] South Dakota Marriages, 1905-1949.
Name: Ida L Berreth
Age: 18
Gender: Female
Spouse: Ernest Kopecky
Marriage Date: 13 Aug 1924
Marriage County: Hyde
County of Residence: Hyde
Post Office: Highmore
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1931 - 2008 (77 years)