Dr. Coen Klopper, age 77, of Philip, South Dakota, died on Sunday, June 2, 2024 at MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 8, at the High School Gym in Philip with Pastor Kathy Chesney officiating.
Interment will follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.
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.
Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Philip.
