Julie Kopperud, age 58, of Marshall, Minnesota, died peacefully on Monday, September 19, 2022, under the care of Hospice and surrounded by her family at her home in Marshall. Memorial Services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 24, 2022, at Living Word Lutheran Church in Marshall. Following interment in the Marshall Cemetery, a reception for attendees will be held back at the church. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday, September 23, 2022, at Living Word Lutheran Church in Marshall. The evening will conclude with a Prayer Service at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will then continue one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, again at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org). The Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall is handling the arrangements.
Julie Kay Kopperud was born on January 6, 1964, and was raised in Brookings, South Dakota. She was the daughter of Rolly and Donna (Erickson) Rue. She attended school in Brookings, graduating from high school there with the class of 1982. Julie went on to earn her accounting degree from Southwest State University in Marshall, Minnesota. Her greatest joy in life were her two boys who called her mom. Julie was blessed to be able to stay home and raise them in their youth. And she couldn’t have been prouder of the young men Nathan and Ryan have become. Piano lessons as a young girl sparked Julie’s musical interests and that passion became central in her life. She accompanied countless choirs and services in both school and church. She was especially grateful to lead a dream job of accompanying the Marshall School Chorus and was grateful for the friendships and experiences through those years. Julie also found joy in playing for the first and second grade concerts for over 20 years under the direction of one of her dearest friends. In 2000, Julie was united in marriage to her best friend, Duane. The couple began their life together centered on faith, fun, laughter and adventure. There was so much more they dreamed of doing and exploring before her life was cut short, yet there is a thankfulness for all the memories they did get a chance to make, especially on their camping trips. Most recently, Julie had put her college degree back to work as she became an accountant for US Bank in Marshall. Julie Kopperud passed away on Monday, September 19, 2022, after a brief yet courageous battle with bile duct cancer. She had reached the age of 58 years, 8 months, and 13 days. Blessed be her memory.
“Thank you” can’t begin to express what Julie and Duane feel in their hearts for the support of their families, their church family of Living Word, and all the prayers lifted up for them. They could not have walked this journey without you. Being charter members of Living Word Lutheran Church was a great source of joy for both Julie and Duane as they saw the small in-home meetings grow into their current building dedicated to honor and glorify God. He has done so many great things in our lives and in this loved community.
Left to carry on Julie’s memory are her husband, Duane Kopperud of Marshall; sons, Nathan (and Kelsey) Stacken of St. Cloud, Ryan Stacken of St. Cloud; step-daughters, Emily Ahrens of Louisville, KY, Beth Moody of Centennial, CO; grandchildren, Noah & Jason Stacken, Jovie Ahrens, Oscar & Laird Moody; mother, Donna Rue of Brookings, SD; sister, Shari (and Roger) Brees of Pierre, SD; special friend and “sister,” Signa Pederson of St. Croix Falls, WI; numerous other friends and family members. Julie was preceded in death by her father, Rolly Rue.
