Cover photo for Walter John Kopsa's Obituary
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1922 Walter 2014

Walter John Kopsa

April 28, 1922 — January 19, 2014

Funeral services for Dr. Walter John Kopsa, MD, 91, of Tipton, who died Sunday, January 19, 2014, at Cedar Manor Nursing Home, will be held Saturday, January 25, 2014 at 11:00 am at the First United Church of Christ, Tipton; His casket will be open one hour prior to service. Pastor David Lorenzen will be officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 24, 2014, from 4:00 - 7:00 pm at Fry Funeral Home, Tipton. Burial will be in the Tipton Masonic Cemetery, Tipton. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the First United Church of Christ, Tipton Public Library, and Cedar County Board of Health, or a charity of your choice, in his memory. "Walt" was born April 28, 1922, the son of Joseph and Anna Sausmann Kopsa, in Cicero, IL. In 1940 he graduated from Morton High School. Walt went on to earn his B.S. and M.D. at the University of Illinois. He served his internship at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, IL. On September 24, 1945, Walt was united in marriage to Amelia (Amy) Margaret Hayenga, a recently graduated registered nurse from Grant Hospital in Chicago. In George, Iowa, they were married by Amy's father, Reverend I.F. Hayenga. Dr. Kopsa served in Army Medical Corp from 1945-1948 and was discharged as Captain. He served his medical residency at St. Luke's Hospital from 1948-1949, then opened a medical practice with Dr. Otto E. Kruse, where he served the medical needs of the Tipton community from 1949-1986. He was a member of the medical staff of St. Luke's and Mercy hospitals in Cedar Rapids. From 1955-1961, Dr. Kopsa worked as the Cedar County Coroner. After his role as Coroner, he served as the first Medical Examiner until 1986. He was the first chairman of the Cedar County Board of Health and helped establish the nursing service and putting the Home Maker Health Aide service under the jurisdiction of the Board of Health. He was also hired as the first environmentalist. Dr. Kopsa was the director of Mid East Iowa Mental Health Center for 9 years. He was a member of the Tipton Library Board and resigned while president in the 60's. He was on the Tipton Board of Education from 1954-1968 through 2 building programs. He is a past director of the Tipton Playhouse. Walt was a charter member of the Tipton Lions Club and was their 5th president. He was also a charter member and first president of the Hoover Health Council in 1969 and 1970. He was a charter member and first president of Friends of the Tipton Library. He was a charter member of Tipton United Church of Christ; chairman of the Building Fund and served 9 years on the council and 2 years as council president. Walt was also a charter member of Cedar Share. Walt enjoyed winters in Padre Island, TX, house boating on the Mississippi out of Guttenberg, and traveling. Walt is loved and survived by his daughters, Zeta Ann (Kent) Creed of Highland Ranch, Colorado, Alicia Mary Kopsa and husband, William Carley of Centenial, Colorado; sons, Walter John (Jane) Kopsa, Jr. of Iowa City, Iowa, Joseph Erwin Kopsa of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and grandchildren, David Kopsa, and Amelia, Elloise, Mitchell and Angela Carley. He was preceded in death by his wife; parents, Joseph and Anna (Sausmann) Kopsa; stepmother Hazel Kopsa; brother, Charles; sister, Mary; stepsister, Mary Jane Svatos; daughter-in-law, Carol Kopsa; and foreign exchange student, Hans Heinrichs. He will be remembered as a quiet leader and a faithful worker.

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