Gerald L. "Jerry" Kopischke, 85, of East Dubuque, IL, formerly of Dubuque, IA, passed away, on Monday, September 12, 2016, at Luther Manor, in Dubuque.

Funeral Services will be at 10 A/M, on Friday, September 16, 2016, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, in Dubuque, with Rev. DeWayne Teig officiating. Burial will be at 12 Noon, on Saturday, September 17, 2016, at Woodville Cemetery, in Waseca, MN.

Visitation is from 3 P/M to 7 P/M, on Thursday, September 15, 2016, at the Miller Funeral Home, in East Dubuque, and from 9 A/M to 9:45 A/M, on Friday, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church.

Jerry was born on August 23, 1931, in Waseca, the son of Adolph R. and Vivian A. (Walker) Kopischke. He was a graduate of Waseca High School, Class of 1949, where he played football. Jerry graduated from Gustavus College, with a degree in Physics and Math, where he also played football and played in the refrigerator bowl for Gustavus. Following his service with the U. S. Army, from January, 1954, to September, 1955, during the Korean Conflict, he graduated from the University of Minnesota with an Electrical Engineering Degree and later from the University of Iowa, with an Industrial Engineering and Business degree.

On June 21, 1958, he married Barbara V. "Barb" Clasen in Minneapolis, MN.

Jerry was employed by Interstate Power Company from 1958-1997, and served on its Board of Directors. He was Vice President of Electrical Operations and was very proud to be a part of the Interstate family.

He was a member of American Legion Post #6 of Dubuque, the Dubuque Shooting Society - 660 Club, the Rotary Club of Dubuque, Owatonna Masonic Star #33 and the Zuhrah Shrine of Minneapolis.

Jerry was an accomplished pilot who loved flying and was an avid skier. He was always up for a good time, spending many happy hours traveling throughout the world, including trips to Russia, Germany, England, Ireland, Austria, Poland and Switzerland. His sense of fashion included blue and green plaid and a wide variety of hats. He was not always patient and taught the parakeet to say, "hurry up, Barbara" so he wouldn't have to. He generously shared every steak of the past six (6) years with his little dog, Cooper. A favorite past time was watching sports and the East Dubuque Warriors were his favorite team.

Surviving are his wife, Barbara "Barb" Kospischke; four (4) children, Karen Kopischke, of Overland Park, KS, David G. (Diane) Kospischke, of Centennial, CO, Leanne (Gary Keenan) Kopischke, of Crystal, MN, and Sally (Darren) Sirianni, of Hazel Green, WI; nine (9) grandchildren, Nick, Nathan, Dmitriy, Adam, Jeremy, Morgan, Kendra, Blaine (Carolyn) and Raychel (Russell); and a great-grandchild, Larson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son-in-law, John Skelley; his siblings, Shirley Woyke and Jack Kopischke; and in-laws, Jim and Sharon Johnson.

In lieu of flowers, a Gerald L. "Jerry" Kopischke Memorial Fund has been established.

Barb and family wish to extend many "thanks" for the care he received from the nurses and staff at Luther Manor and Hospice of Dubuque.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com