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Funeral services will take place on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at 11:00 AM (Mountain).

High School Gym
Philip, South Dakota

Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service at the High School Gym.



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In memory of

Dr. Coen Klopper

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Sunday, June 2, 2024 at MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa at the age of 77

Coenraad Klopper passed away peacefully at 6:34pm on June 2, 2024, at MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center in Sioux City, IA after a protracted illness. He exhibited his trademark sense of humor until his final hours.

Coen was born in Durban, South Africa on May 20, 1947. He grew up on the family cattle ranch near Dundee, South Africa. After attending school in Dundee, he undertook his postsecondary studies at the University of Potchefstroom and graduated with a degree in Pharmacy. While there he met his future wife, Trudie. He decided to pursue a career in Medicine and enrolled in medical school at the University of the Orange Free State. Upon graduation he completed his internship at the University of the Orange Free State Hospital and established a practice in the small town of Hendrina, South Africa. Before leaving South Africa, he practiced his craft in Middelburg, South Africa, and Bisho in the Ciskei. Like many South Africans at the time, the Klopper family fled the political unrest and upheaval of South Africa, and moved to Cut Knife, Saskatchewan. An opportunity to immigrate to the United States came about, and the family moved to Philip, SD in 1991. Coen was always grateful for the opportunity this created for his family, and he loved the greater Philip community and its wonderful people. Western South Dakota people were his kind of people: hard working, stoic, tough, and kind. He remained passionate about his work as a physician until the very end. He continued working at Philip Health Services until his health no longer allowed him to continue, and that is the way he wanted it. His other passions in life included hunting, reloading, reading, motorcycle trips with his sons and son-in-law, and his grandkids.

He is survived by his wife Trudie, daughter Leta and son-in-law Keegan and grandkids Mia and Grier; son Henk and daughter-in-law Jess and grandkids Vera, Stella, and Emma; son Steph and daughter-in-law Jill; and sister Lila; and a host of other relatives and friends.


Coen was preceded in death by his parents, Hendrik and Emma Klopper, and his sister Lettie.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 8, at the High School Gym in Philip.

Interment will follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

FUNERAL SERVICE
Saturday, June 8, 2024 - 11:00 a.m.
High School Gym
Philip, South Dakota

CLERGY
Pastor Kathy Chesney

SPEARKERS
Keegan Floquet - Nancy Ekstrum

USHERS
Jace Schofield - Riley Schofield - Taylor Schofield

PALLBEARERS
Keegan Klopper - Steph Klopper - Henk Klopper
Don Burns - Jim Sandstrom - Charlie Ekstrum

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

PRIVATE FAMILY INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

  • What a remarkable human being. I salute you ~ Retha van der walt South Africa (6/9/2024)
  • I am so sad to hear of Dr. Klopper's passing. He was truly a gifted doctor, loved by his patients and the Philip community. Prayers ~ Ruby I Gabriel Pedro, SD (6/9/2024)
  • I really can not find the words to say enough about Dr Klopper.I am going to miss our talks ,his sense of humor,and how he cared about people.I also will miss my little Olive who I spent alot of time with at the hospital and at my home..Things will not be the same without Dr Klopper and Olive.Sending prayers to the Klopper family.Memories are wonderful to keep with us everyday ~ Tootie Formanek York,Nebraska (6/8/2024)
  • My deepest sympathy to all your family. I thought highly of Dr. Klopper and he will be greatly missed. Our community lost a great man/doctor! ~ Charlene Kjerstad Wall, SD (6/8/2024)
  • So sorry for your family loss, I know he was a pillar in family and community. Our prayers are with the family. ~ Hiedi & John Ohr Minnesota (6/7/2024)
  • He was one of the best doctors I've ever known. Kind, funny and a great person in general ~ Ramon Cruz Trafalgar IN (6/6/2024)
  • Unrivaled bed side manner and a sense of humor that made an emergency room visit a better experience. Our community was bettered by he and his family. It was an honor and a privilege to know this fine man. Godspeed Dr. Klopper. ~ Andrew Reckling Philip (6/6/2024)
  • My thoughts and prayers to Dr. Klopper/'s family. He was a excellent doctor and a very caring man. He was such an asset to our community. He will be greatly missed! ~ Mary Jo Jones Midland, SD (6/5/2024)
  • Dear Trudie & Family, We were SO Sad to hear of the Loss of Dr Klopper. Our Thoughts & Prayers are sent Your way. He will be a BIG Loss to You & to the Philip Community. Gods Blessings to ALL of You. Sincerely, Jerry & Kathy Noteboom. ~ Kathy S. & Jerry Noteboom 21309 Cabin Rd. (6/5/2024)
  • Trudie & family, Our deepest sympathy. Dr. Klopper was a friend, caring person. I am glad that worked with him when was a nurse aid at Philip Health services. He was also a caring doctor to our family. He will be missed. May he rest in peace. God Bless. ~ Ralph & Cathy Fiedler 2130 Ellen St (6/4/2024)
  • This is a huge loss for all. What an amazing man! My mom loved working with him. Not only was he intelligent, but his bedside manner and compassion for his patients made him a wonderful provider. He will be missed by all. I am sending love and prayers to Trudie and family. ~ Angi Brooks-Kiewel Rapid City, SD (6/4/2024)
  • 81425 ~ Bill Hamm Olathe, Colorado (6/4/2024)
  • I so enjoyed working with Dr. Klopper and will forever be grateful to him for the amazing care he provided my Mom while recovering from surgery and doing physical rehabilitation in Philip. He was an amazing person and medical provider. My deepest condolences to his family. He will be missed. ~ Jacci Spry Wrangell, Alaska (6/4/2024)
  • South Africa's loss was Philip's warm and wonderful gain. His compassionate kindness took precious time, but he gave it unstintingly to his patients who were blessed by his interest and knowledge. We thank you for that enormous gift, and send you our heartfelt sympathy. His life gave grace and care to all of us. He will be forever remembered and loved in this community. ~ Gerry and Bobby Sloat Philip, SD (6/4/2024)
  • Sympathy to the family and may your memories help ease your loss. We were blessed to have such a wonderful caring doctor serve this area. Words are inadequate to express the lives he touched. ~ Marsha Sumpter Kadoka (6/3/2024)
  • My deepest condolences to you. Dr. Klopper was a great person, and a wonderful doctor. He took time to get to know people and cared so much for others. He sure knew many stories and always had a quick joke to share. He will be greatly missed. ~ Kendra Mastel Wallace, SD (6/3/2024)
  • What a wonderful man and doctor he was, always taking time for everyone. Our family was blessed to have him as our doctor for many years. Our small town is feeling a huge loss, he will be missed by many. Hold on to all the memories, as we will do. God Bless all the family. ~ Les & Joann Pearson Philip, SD (6/3/2024)
  • So sad for the family of this wonderful man and all he has done for everyone in Philip. Dr Klopper was always amazing and wonderful to our family. He will be missed and always remembered in our hearts. Prayers for the family during this time. ~ Melanie Thompson (Oldenberg) Tampa,FL (6/3/2024)
  • Our thoughts and prayers are with you all in your loss. Dr. Klopper has helped our family through so many difficulties and emergencies and was always such a blessing. He always managed to make you feel better. We will all miss him. ~ Carla & Virgil Smith Philip, SD (6/3/2024)
  • I extend our deep condolences to the Bereaved family. Dr. Klopper has touched our lives so much his legacy will never be forgotten. I thank the family for sharing a very special man to the community. Thanks for the many great things you have done! Rest easy! ~ Melanie Berdin Olympia, Washinngton (6/3/2024)