John H. Schoep, 87, Luverne, formerly of Pipestone, died Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne.
A memorial service was Monday, Jan. 13, at the American Reformed Church in Luverne. Burial preceded the funeral at the Beaver Creek Cemetery.
John Schoep was born on Jan. 30, 1932, to Gerrit and Ettie (Feekes) Schoep on a farm northwest of Sioux Center, Iowa. In 1936 a tornado destroyed the entire farm, and the family moved to Carmel, Iowa, where John attended school. He volunteered for the draft in 1953 and entered the United States Army on April 9 of that year.
John married Lucille Wesselink on Aug. 4, 1953. The couple lived off post until John was honorably discharged on April 1, 1955. They then farmed in Hull and Inwood, Iowa, before moving to a farm south of Luverne in 1971. They moved to Beaver Creek in 1988. John drove truck for over 16 years, moving wide load trailers and office trailers. He then hauled grain before retiring in 1994. Lucille died in February of 1993.
John married Maria Gorter in 1994. The couple moved to Pipestone. Maria died in December of 2019.
John was a member of the Christian Reformed Church in Luverne. He enjoyed woodworking, making Ole Bollen, fishing, camping and telling a good story.
John is survived by his three children, Lora Lynn (Steve) Wynia, Luverne, Gene (Nadine) Schoep, Edgerton, and Bonita Schoep, St. Paul; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife; a grandson, Nathan Wynia; and two sisters, Wilmina Kleene and Katherine Huyser.
Arrangements were provided by Dingmann Funeral Home of Luverne, dingmannandsons.com.
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