Norma Rose Koop (nee Dueck)
1940 ~ 2022
Norma Rose Koop passed away at Boundary Trails Health Centre on Monday July 18, 2022. She was 82 years of age.
Norma was born on January 21, 1940 in Hanover, MB to Peter and Margaret (Barkman) Dueck. Norma attended Gruenfeld School and graduated in 1957. She earned her Bachelor of Nursing from the Victoria School of Nursing in 1964. She enjoyed keeping in touch and getting together with her nursing classmates through the years, right up until the end of her life. She worked in home care in Nipawin, SK as well as the nursing home. She also provided foot care in Langham and Morden. Norma married the love of her life, Daniel (Dan) Koop on September 18, 1964. Dan and Norma were blessed with four children: Dwight (Michele) from Saskatoon, SK; Gwendy (Steve) from Westport, ON; Twyla from Calgary, AB; and Marcia (Nathan) from Coaldale, AB. Their family was further blessed by the addition of all their grandchildren: Ashlyn (Justin), Braden (Rachel), Charissa, Nicole (Jacob), Joshua (Janika), Alex, Erika, Luke, Karlin (fiancée Shayla), Colton, Callisa and Kayleigh and three great-grandchildren: Baylor, Calder and Oakley. Norma is survived by one brother, Len (Pat) Dueck and one sister, Grace (Abe) Enns. Norma was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Daniel (Dan) Koop, parents, Peter and Margaret (Barkman) Dueck, her step-mother, Ella (Barkman) Dueck and one brother who died at birth, Leslie Peter.
Dan and Norma raised their family in Nipawin SK where Norma worked as a home care nurse and was involved in the students at Nipawin Bible Institute by making many meals in her home for them. She also kept busy by decorating and planning events like Christmas, graduation and conferences throughout the years at NBI. Sharing God’s love with others was important to Dan and Norma who were a pastoring couple in Flin Flon, Japan, Langham and Morden through the years.
Norma loved flowers and gardening. Her yard was always full of bright beautiful flowers and her home was full of many various different types of plants. Gardening was very important to her and she loved all the fresh produce throughout summer. She canned and froze various fruits and vegetables so she could continue to enjoy the food throughout winter. Norma loved to sew, she sewed many dresses for her daughters including their grad dresses. She sewed beautiful baby blankets for all of her grandchildren.
After Dan’s stroke in 2013, Norma cared for Dan at their home until his passing in December of 2021. During this time mom broke her hip and had back surgery, but she continued to have courage and determination to care for Dan at home. After his passing Norma enjoyed doing errands and meeting friends for tea parties, coffee and meals without needing to watch the time. She enjoyed a trip west to spend time with family and had worked hard to regain her health to enjoy life. She had raised garden beds built, so she could continue gardening. She was happy to be able to drive again and was very excited about a new car she had on order.
Norma loved the Lord Jesus Christ and we are grateful to know that she is being embraced by her Heavenly Father. She was always encouraged by the daily bread. On one of her last conversations she said she was happy because we are all God’s children. Norma’s love for God was profoundly obvious and shared with all those around her.
A huge thanks to the Doctors, nurses and staff at Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg and at Boundary Trails Health Center who cared for Norma over the past couple of weeks; to Dr Kevin Earl for his compassionate care and to the many friends and family who loved, cared and supported Norma through these past years.