Joan “Dit” Kopp of Sidney, MT, formerly of Great Falls, MT died peacefully in Sidney Health Center, on Tuesday, July 18, 2017, Sidney, MT.
Joan was born on November 14, 1934, in Sidney, MT to Julius and Ida (Erickson) Simonsen. She graduated from Sidney High School in 1952. Joan was united in marriage to Robert “Bob” Kopp of Sidney, MT in 1954 and to that union two sons were born, Dean and Ronald.
Joan and Bob were stationed many places with the Air Force including England and Japan. After Bob’s retirement from the Air Force, they moved to Great Falls in 1964 and Joan began working for Columbus Hospital as a telephone switchboard operator. She worked long in this position, making the department run like clockwork, and retired after 25 years. After a debilitating stroke, Joan and Bob moved to the Highgate Senior Living in Great Falls and resided there for six years. Her husband, Bob died in May of 2015 and in April of 2017, Joan moved to the Sidney Health Center Extended Care, Sidney, MT.
Joan was an avid card player and she accomplished her goal of teaching all her grandchildren to play pinochle, so she would have more people to beat. She and Bob played in a four piece band for weddings and small gatherings. Joan and Bob took frequent trips in their motorhome and they enjoyed traveling to mountains, casinos, and places to fish.
Joan was hard working and adventurous, always willing to try new things. She hopped on the back of her son’s motorcycle so he could drive her at 90 mph down the highway without a second thought. She drove her son’s Freightliner semi-truck at harvest. She adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren and always had her camera at hand to document their lives.
Joan is survived by: her sons, Dean (Janice) Kopp of Stafford, CT and Ron (Peggy) Kopp of Fairview, MT; her grandchildren, Deanne (Rob) Reid, Colleen (Abe) Millet, Austin Kopp, Nathan Kopp, Adele Kopp, Ryan (Tessa) Kopp, and Marcia (Luke) Prouix; and her three great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by: her parents; her husband, Bob; her brothers, Gale Simonsen and Con Simonsen; and an infant daughter.

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