Grace Koopal, 97, of Ontario passed away peacefully on November 5, 2019. She was born to Klaas and Alice Schaap on August 19, 1922 in Oudega, the Netherlands. She immigrated to the United States with her family in 1929 through Ellis Island and settled in Artesia, CA. During her childhood she attended Bellflower Christian School, helped take care of her younger siblings, and became a Charter Member of Bethel Reformed Church. As a teenager, she worked at the cleaners in town and also met the love of her life Si Koopal, who was a milker on her father’s dairy. He was later drafted in the Army during WWII. While stationed in Seattle, she took the bus to see him and they were married at the Courthouse on October 16, 1942. It was a marriage that lasted over 55 years.
After Si’s duty in the military was over, they settled in Bellflower, both went back to their jobs, and eventually were able to start a dairy of their own. The dairy grew and so did their family and prompted a move to Chino in 1963. She loved her life on the dairy where the coffee pot was always on and everyone was welcomed in. She enjoyed hosting for the holidays and having relatives from near and far come and stay. She was very active in Chino Valley Reformed Church where Grace taught Sunday School, served in the Women’s’ Guild and helped out any way she was asked. When Si and her retired from the dairy, they loved to travel around the world and also be at home where she enjoyed her family, reading, and crocheting.
Si passed away on January 28, 1998, and Grace moved into a cottage at Inland Christian Home in April of 2000. She loved her little neighborhood and the special relationships she shared with each one of them. She also enjoyed being involved with activities the Home offered and liked helping out at the Inland Home Boutiques and Bake Sales. When it finally came time for her to move into Skilled Nursing, she looked at it as opportunity to make new friends and “bloomed where she was planted”. Macular Degeneration took her eyesight but her mind was always sharp. She could converse with anyone and her memory served her well. Her best days were when her room was filled with visitors and she could share a story. It was evident her love for the Lord grew each passing year, until her work was done and He called her home.
Grace’s memory is carried on by her son George Koopal of Apple Valley, CA, son Clarence (Roberta) Koopal, and daughter Alice (Don) Heida of Nampa, ID. Her grandchildren Christy Koopal, Kimberly (Josh) Cass, Colleen (Mitch) Griggs, Clinton Koopal, Dave (Lisa) Heida, Dan Heida, Julie Heida, and Donnie (Nerea) Heida, and 9 great grandchildren, a brother Jim Schaap of San Bernardino, CA, a sister Agnes Corns of San Bernardino, CA, a sister Ann Connelly of Lake Havasu, AZ and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Si, her brother Dirk, and granddaughter Kellie Koopal.
A special Thank You to her wonderful caregivers from Inland Christian Home and also the loving care she received from Christy, Marilyn, Michelle, Dee and Peggy.
A Celebration of her Life will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at 11:30 am at The Friendship Center at Inland Christian Home 1950 S. Mountain Ave. Ontario, CA 91762
Memorial gifts made be made in Grace’s honor to Inland Christian Home 1950 S Mountain Ave. Ontario, CA 91762
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