Dale Roger Gunnar Kopman, 79, the youngest child of Leonard and Felma (Dorvinen) Kopman, was born September 25, 1946, in Vancouver, WA. Dale passed away April 29, 2026, at his home near Hayti, SD, after a brief struggle with cancer. He was a member of the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church, where he remained steadfast in faith in the doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ. Through his example he showed his family and all who knew him, the road to heaven.

A Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, May 3, 2026, at the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church in Lake Norden, South Dakota. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 4, 2026, at the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church, with visitation one hour prior from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at the Apostolic Lutheran Cemetery.

Dale graduated from Battle Ground High School and then worked in appliance service and repair. On October 23, 1966, he married Jeanie Kysar in Brush Prairie, WA. They enjoyed 52 years together. They lived in WA until 1974, when they moved to a farm near Hayti, SD, where he resided for the remainder of his life. Dale farmed and continued appliance service work until starting Dale’s Machines in 1985. He ran this business with his family and other employees until retiring in 2016.

Dale had many unique and varied abilities but was quick to credit these gifts to God, saying, “Without God allowing it, we would not be able to open our eyes in the morning.” He found great joy in gardening, tending his orchard, apple juicing, fishing, traveling, and woodworking—but most of all, he loved his many grandchildren.

Jeanie passed away in December 2018 after a battle with cancer. On February 9, 2020, Dale married Debra (Koistinen) Kysar Haak. They were blessed with six wonderful years together.

Dale is survived by his wife Deb; his children: Renee (Mikael) Kemppainen, Battle Ground, WA; Rhonda Kopman of Elkton, MD; Rachel Kopman of Vancouver, WA; Daren (Cherie) Kopman of Hayti, SD; Rosanne (Troy) Stewart of Arlington, SD; Dwayne (Dawn) Kopman of Woodland, WA; Dwight (Stacy) Kopman of Hayti, SD; Roberta (Roger) Smith of Lake Norden, SD; Rebecca (Kurt) Thompson of Hayti, SD; Ruthie (Jeremy) Wendling of Lake Norden, SD; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his sister Ethel Schoenborn of Vancouver, WA; brothers-in-law: Laverne Lehtola and Lowell (Carrie) Kysar; sister-in-law Mary Kopman; all of Deb’s family who also dearly loved him; and a host of relatives and friends.

Dale was preceded in death by his first wife Jeanie; his parents; his brothers: Frank (Rosie) Kopman, Wesley (Elna) Kopman, and Felix Kopman; his sisters: Kathrine (Paul) Christensen, Alice (Glen) Koskiniemi, Clara Lehtola, and infant sister Joann; brother-in-law Larry Schoenborn, and grandchildren: Ashley Kopman, Laurel Smith, and Stefan Kemppainen.