Marlene Koopmann Memorial

Marlene was supportive and encouraging of all her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren in their endeavors. Her granddaughter Emily is the current Executive Director of the Belmont Community Center and her great grandson Max attends programming here as well. The BCC is a small neighborhood-based community center in North Lincoln, five minutes from where she resided during her time in the capitol city.

"My grandmother was deeply invested in the communities she lived in and she always carried the confidence it takes to put yourself out there and meet someone new. From card clubs to polka dances, from staying in touch with old friends to making new friends in new places -- Grandma Koopmann set the example for intentionally building community through the use of good food, shared interests, and friendly conversation. The work I do at the Belmont Community Center is inspired by and in honor of her. Thank you for your generosity and remembering her in this way." - Emily Koopmann

Marlene Arletta (Schutte) Koopmann (88), May 30, 1934 - December 4, 2022 of Lincoln, NE passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, December 4, 2022 from a pulmonary embolism.

Marlene was born in Madison, NE on May 30, 1934, to Wurnewald (W.E.) and Olga (Hake) Schutte. She attended Country School District #46 and then Madison County rural schools and graduated from Kramer High School in Columbus, NE in 1951. She was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Shell Creek, Rural Columbus.

Marlene married Donald E. Koopmann of Stanton, NE on June 17, 1953 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Shell Creek, Rural Columbus. They were married for 60 years until Don’s death in 2014. Don and Marlene farmed together in Stanton County until retirement and moved from the farm into town in 1993, continuing to manage the farm operations. She was meticulous in her accounting skills often having all the taxes figured out before being confirmed by the professional accountant. Marlene worked for Best Decorators and Herberger’s Dept. Stores in Norfolk. During her life, Marlene served as a 4-H leader, member of St. John’s Lutheran Church Ladies Aide and Busy Belles extension club all of Stanton.

She was very civic minded and served over 34 years as an election inspector for her local polling places. Marlene and Don wintered in Victoria Palms in Donna, Texas for over 21 years. Marlene loved playing cards, especially bridge and belonged to numerous card clubs in Stanton, Pilger, Wisner, Columbus, and Lincoln. During covid she learned how to play online card games with people from Australia and Pennsylvania among other places. She was often sought after to join clubs because of her excellent playing skills. She was deemed “the bestest cook in the whole wide world” by her grandchildren for her famous meatloaf, potatoes and various famous dessert bars and salads. Marlene loved crafts and crocheted a special blanket for each grandchild and great grandchild.

Marlene was a loving and supportive mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and she was family centered. She would travel near and far attending many of the family’s activities and supported all their endeavors. She is survived by her children, Linda (Jim) Dietz, Elkhorn, NE; Judy Fredrick, Lincoln, NE; and Kevin (Ann) Koopmann, Lincoln, NE. Five grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, Brian (Amy) Dietz; Delaney and Weston, Prairie Village, KS; Mark (April) Dietz; Collin, Alexandria, Jack Darius, Xavier and Simone, Omaha, NE; Craig (Adrienne) Dietz, Galesburg, IL; Jenna (Ben) Clancy; Dawson and Eleanor, Ashland, NE; and Emily Koopmann and Max, Lincoln, NE; and Aunt Elaine Hake, Columbus, NE.

When she moved to Lincoln, NE in 2021 she found her church home at Mount Olive. Marlene was preceded in death by her husband Don; parents, Wurnewald and Olga; and brother Ronnie.