MaryAnn Kopel
MaryAnn Kopel, age 91, of Olivia, MN, passed away Saturday, April 20, 2024 at Olivia Restorative Care Center after a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, July 20, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Olivia, with Rev. Joe Steinbeisser as celebrant. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the church with the Rosary prayed at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be in St. Aloysius cemetery. Arrangements by Dirks-Blem Funeral Service, Olivia, MN.
A live stream of MaryAnn’s service will be available on Saturday at the following link: https://my.gather.app/
MaryAnn was born February 25, 1933, at home, in Manfred Township, near Canby, MN and Gary, SD, the daughter of Lloyd and Clara (Mork) Haight. She graduated from Little Falls High School in 1951 and Robinson School of Beauty Culture in Minneapolis, MN in 1952. After working as a beautician in St. Cloud, Renville, Rochester, Olivia, and Glacier National Park, she opened her own beauty shop on Lincoln Ave in Olivia in 1956.
MaryAnn and Alfred Joseph Kopel were introduced by Grace Meixner at the Gateway Café. They were married August 5, 1958 in Talkeetna, Alaska, where Al was working. Three children completed the family, Jane, Gary and Dean.
MaryAnn worked as a homemaker and mother while operating a beauty shop in their Minnetonka home. In 1971, the family moved to the Kopel family farm on highway 212 between Danube and Olivia. MaryAnn continued to run a beauty shop at the farm. She encouraged her children to be active in 4-H, sports, and other school activities.
Al and MaryAnn moved into town (Olivia) in 1988. Her most challenging and rewarding occupation was serving as Al’s full time caregiver at home from 1978 when symptoms of Parkinson’s first began until his death in 2002.
MaryAnn was a member of St Al’s CCW, quilting group, choir, and liturgy committee at various times. A masterful seamstress, she sewed various items to be sold at St Al’s Fall Festival, and to share with others, as well as clothing for herself and children. As a member of the Golden Tappers dance troupe for several years, she sewed their costumes. The well-choreographed entertaining dancers performed at various town festivals and area nursing homes. She also enjoyed baking (sharing her goodies with friends and family) and vegetable gardening.
MaryAnn is survived by her children: Jane Kopel, Gary (and Carla) Kopel, and Dean (and Maria) Kopel; sisters, June Rockwood and Betsy Tepley Manbeck; grandson, Ben Kuhns; and step-great-grandchildren Zander & Rena Denardo; as well as many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death are her husband, Al Kopel; sisters: Joyce Bradshaw, Jean Davidson, and Ellen Jane Haight; and brother, Roscoe Haight; and several brothers and sisters-in-law.
Blessed Be Her Memory