Peggy H. Koppen (March 26, 1948 - September 10, 2024)
Peggy Helen (Barkdoll) Koppen, 76, formerly of Boone, Iowa returned to her heavenly father on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.
Peggy was born March 26, 1948 at the Methodist Hospital, Peoria, IL to Keith and Ethel (Whaley) Barkdoll. She graduated from Tampico high school in 1966 and enrolled in Northern IL in 1967, then transferred to Swedish/American hospital in Rockford and graduated in 1970 with a diploma in nursing. Upon her graduation she enlisted in the Army where she served as a nurse for four years. Peggy married Mark Okusko of Gouverneur, New York in 1973 while they were both stationed in Hawaii. Mark and Peggy divorced after moving back to the states in 1977. Peggy spent her nursing career in California, Iowa, Texas, Colorado, and Wyoming. While in Wyoming she met and married Jim Koppen of Sheffield, Iowa.
After her children were grown, Peggy enjoyed her role as a traveling nurse, working in Montana, California, and Arizona before retiring to Iowa. After retiring, Peggy spent her time dabbling in photography, traveling the western states, and spoiling her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Peggy is remembered by her daughters, Kirsti (Jonathan) Clark of Somerset, Kentucky and Jaimie Okusko of Sparta, Wisconsin; her sons Sean Okusko of Charlotte, North Carolina and William Koppen of Boone, Iowa; her sister Nancy (Stanley) Rasmussen of Rock Falls, Illinois; her brother Lon (Linda) Barkdoll of Morton, Illinois; her 9 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Keith and Ethel Barkdoll, and her brother Kirk Barkdoll.
A private family Celebration of Life was observed on October 12, 2024