Jerry Lee Kopischke

Jerry Lee Kopischke passed away, February 8, 2026, at the age of 74 in Mankato, MN after a courageous battle with kidney cancer.

Funeral Service 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Cornerstone United Methodist Church, Lake Crystal. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Friday, February 13, at Northview – North Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour before service at the church on Saturday. Interment will be in Pilgrims Rest Cemetery, Mankato.

Jerry Lee was born March 9, 1951, to Lavern and Phyllis (Anderson) Kopischke in Mankato. He lived in Lake Crystal his entire life except for the last 4 years. He graduated from Lake Crystal High School in 1969.

Jerry Lee enjoyed being a lifelong active community member in Lake Crystal until his diagnosis with kidney cancer in May 2019. He was active with the Lake Crystal Jaycees’, Sons of the American Legion, Pheasants Forever, Pheasants Inc., and Ducks Unlimited. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church from birth to 2006. He then became an active member of Cornerstone United Methodist Church where he served as President of the board of directors. Jerry Lee was very helpful while the Cornerstone United Methodist Church was being built on the corner property lot of Kopischke Acres.

People knew Jerry Lee for always talking “Mouth from the South”, always joking around and having fun. He enjoyed going the Lakes Sports Bar and Grill in Lake Crystal to gamble and drink Pepsi with his friends. He stood loyal to the MN Vikings and MN Twins.

Jerry Lee’s first job was with Tony Downs filling cans for sea rations for the military. He then spent 10 years in business with his brother hauling hogs, Kopischke Trucking. He then ventured off on his own and created his own business, Swine Lines, still hauling hogs for 27 more years. After selling, Swine Lines, he still needed to keep busy so he started working for Industrial Fabrication Services driving semi for 9 years from 2012-2021 until it became too difficult to work full time.

In addition, Jerry Lee has always been a bus driver, probably as far back as most people can remember. He loved being a bus driver. He drove for, Classic Coaches, Lake Crystal Coaches, Lake Crystal School Bus Service, and Nickel Transportation. He was pleased to be awarded a clock/plaque for being the MN School Bus Transportation Specialist of the year in 2010.

Jerry Lee is survived by his partner for 27 years, Barb Paulson; five daughters, Carrie Ackerson (Jeff), Amie Kopischke Stambaugh (Steve), Neena Kopischke (Carlos Carrera), Mattye Kopischke (Patrick Terwey), and Estee Rippel (Tory); stepson, Jacob Paulson (Leah); ten grandchildren, who are incredibly special to him, Alicia, Yanamarie, Bianca, Valencia, David Jerry Lee, Sklyer, Kashton, Kohen, Teagan, and Drake; one great-grandson, Mateo; siblings, Susetta (Duane) Hackens, Larry (JoAnn) Kopischke, and Dennis (Christine) Kopischke, nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Jerry Lee was preceded in death by his father, Lavern in 1986; mother, Phyllis in 2014; and his stepson, Nathan Alan Paulson in 2016.