Gerald "Jerry" LeRoy Coopman

Gerald LeRoy Coopman, age 80, of rural Mankato, passed into the loving arms of Jesus from his favorite chair at home surrounded by his family on Sunday, September 19, 2021.

Visitation will be held from 4-7pm, Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at Mankato Mortuary (1001 N. Riverfront Drive, Mankato). Funeral service will be 10:30am, Thursday, September 23, 2021 at Hosanna Lutheran Church. Burial with full military honors will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Mankato. Luncheon to follow at Hosanna. Please share a memory of Gerald online at www.mankatomortuary.com.

To view the service via livestream, please visit https://hosannamain.online.church. To view the service later,  https://boxcast.tv/view/jerry-coopman-service-586614 

Jerry was born April 5, 1941 in Ladysmith, WI to Maurice and Viola (Johnson) Coopman. He graduated from Mankato High School in 1959 and later studied welding at Mankato Area VoTech. On November 28, 1959, Jerry entered the U.S. Army and was later honorably discharged. He was united in marriage to Dorothy “Dottie” Schmidt on April 10, 1961 in Mankato.

As a collector of family, friends, and many things, Jerry loved to chat and BS with everyone surrounding him. He was a farmer, carpenter, and a fixer of all things (sometimes using duct tape). He enjoyed snowmobiling, and his passion was being at the race track with his family and friends. He loved listening and dancing to old time music. He is greatly loved and will be forever in the hearts of many.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Dottie Coopman of rural Mankato; children, Laura Forrey of Mankato, Lisa (David) Buhr of Rapidan Township, Gerald (Kimberly) Coopman of Mankato, Julie (Jeff) Blaschko of New Prague, and Andrew (Angel) Coopman of rural Mankato; ten grandchildren, Jonathan Forrey, Ashley (Joshua) Carlson, Nathan (Stephanie) Coopman, Trina (fiancé Sam Kjos) Blaschko, Cayley Buhr, Alyssa Blaschko, Taylor Savoy, Cheyenne Coopman, Jayda Blaschko, and Nevaeh Coopman; sister, Sylvia (Dean) Heitner of Mankato; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Ernest, Robert, Marvin, and Arthur.