Dorothy Kopaska, 91, of Dexter

Funeral Services: Will be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Dexter with burial in the Dexter Cemetery.  A luncheon will follow the burial at the church. Pastor Robert Waldron will officiate the service.  The Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield is in charge of the professional arrangements.  Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

Family Visitation: The family will greet friends on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at the First Presbyterian Church in Dexter from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Memorials:  To the Dorothy Kopaska Memorial Fund to be established by the family at a later date.

Dorothy Darlene Heckman Kopaska was born in a Cass County house a few miles west of the city of Adair.

Dorothy started to school at union #5 country school.  There she had a wonderful teacher Helen Cook Neal. She learned to read, which was her lifelong goal. 

At Dexter High School she was excited to learn.  Because of her interest in all subjects, she became Valedictorian of her graduating class.  She attended CCCC College in Des Moines to become a secretary.

Life Changed when she met Earnie Kopaska and they were married June 17th 1951.

Gerald her father wanted them to be farmers.  So, they rented several farms around Casey until they found a nice farm south of Dexter where they have raised their four children ever since.  They are Carroll Wayne (CW) (Belinda), Colleen Elizabeth Kopaska Stiles (Tim), William Carl (Bill) (Lynn) and Karen Irene Kopaska Costanzo (Joe).  

She enjoyed learning pattern dancing with Earnie while they would winter in Arizona and again in the summer with their camping friends. 

Earnie and Dorothy built a house designed by Dorothy and built by Mr. Warren Garwood of Dexter. Mr. Garwood’s woodworking skills are shown in the walnut cabinetry. The design has proved to be very functional over the years into her older age. 

Her trips with Earnie to Seattle, Alaska, Europe, Brazil, and other states in South America were highlights. 
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents Gerald and Leona Heckman, her brother Errol Heckman (Norma) and her husband Earnest Kopaska who passed at the age of 92. 

Along the way she is survived by her children, grandchildren, step grandchildren, great grandchildren, step great grandchildren, and siblings.

Siblings: Vera Jeanette Shelley and Glenn Leroy Heckman.

Grandchildren: Kirk William Kopaska, Misty Marie Gilbert (James), Rod Alan Ross, Robin Lynn Durby (Mike), Alex William Kopaska (Judy), Amy Marie Martinez (Scarlette).

Great grandchildren: Sarah, Zach, Rebecca, Bradley, Abigail, Hailey, Gage, Xander, Sofia.

The family of Dorothy Kopaska wishes to express their gratitude for all acts of kindness shown to them in their time of sorrow and invites you to join them for a luncheon at the church following the burial.