Dr. Coen Klopper Obituary

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.

Guest Book

My sincerest condolences to Dr Klopper’s family. He was a wonderful doctor. Such a caring and funny man. Thank you, Dr Klopper, may you rest in peace.
~ Rebecca (Fenner) Johnson Pocatello idaho (6/4/2024)

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~ Bill Hamm Olathe, Colorado (6/4/2024)

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)

This saddens my heart, Dr. Klopper you will be greatly missed. You were always so kind and funny. When I was interning you were always so patient with me. I will forever cherish the memories of you coming out to our ranch and shooting prairie dogs with my family. My boyfriend is doing great! I’m going to miss you asking me that every time I saw you. Thank you for teaching me lots of life skills—hard working, trustworthiness, honesty, and so many more.
~ Megan Hindman Valentine, Nebraska (6/6/2024)

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)

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)

Ek stuur al my liefde en gebed na julle toe die week. Oom Coen was ‘n ongelooflike goeie mens wat baie inpak op my lewe en my sussie gehad het. “ May his soul rest in eternal peace .
~ Lenie Zondo South Africa (6/8/2024)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

What a remarkable human being. I salute you
~ Retha van der walt South Africa (6/9/2024)

Dr. Klopper was an absolutely brilliant doctor who saved my life in 2014. I will always be in his debt. We discussed world politics during late night rounds, laughed, kidded each other continuously during my week long stay. I had just returned from a deployment to the Middle East and General Ham had given each of the team members an AFRICOM challenge coin for work we had done in Africa. I gave it to Dr. Kopper as a small token of my family’s appreciation for all he had done for me. A good, good man who will be truly missed!
~ Bill Hamm Olathe, Colorado (6/4/2024)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

Thank you for sharing an amazing man with us. He took such good care of my dad through his glioblastoma. Your son did my dad’s surgery and we were so thankful for such caring and compassionate doctors. May he rest in peace and know each day what a blessing he was to so many. Thank you
~ Michelle Parke Renning Emerson Nebraska (6/4/2024)

Dr. Klopper was a wonderful physician: patient, kind, knowledgeable, and full of common sense. He took excellent care of various members of our family many times and every time we were thankful for him. He will be sorely missed by the entire community. I can only hope that it eases his family’s sorrow a bit to know that so many people feel the loss as well.
~ Jeanene Kroetch Philip, SD (6/4/2024)

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)

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)

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)