Charles Koppinger, age 74, of Minot, ND, passed away on July 10, 2023 in his home. Charles was the son of Joseph and Magdalene (Keller) Koppinger born in Dickinson, ND on February 2, 1949. Charles was educated at St. Mary’s of New England and Douglas, ND where he was a member of the last Douglas High School graduating class in 1967. Chuck was active in high school sports while attending DHS. He was a four-year starter in basketball, where he went on to score over 1,000 points in his varsity career. Chuck also played high school baseball for DHS. He and one of his classmates were considered iron man as one pitched the first game of a doubleheader and would catch the second game.
In January of 1968, Chuck entered the U.S. Marine Corps. Charles served his country for 3 years and was honorably discharged with rank of Sergeant. Chuck served a tour of duty in Viet Nam.
Chuck participated in numerous recreational activities over the years. He played slow-pitch softball; golfed-an honorary member of the Reynbow Golf League at the Souris Valley Golf Course. After retiring from slow-pitch softball, Chuck returned to amateur baseball as a player for the Sherwood Yanks, a baseball team in the Saskota Baseball League. He was an avid outdoorsman. He hunted, fished, and trapped with friends and family while building life-long friendships with those that got to know him. Chuck hunted a grizzly bear in Alaska, elk, deer and antelope in Montana along with moose, deer, antelope, upland game, geese and ducks in North Dakota. He spent many hours fishing Lake Sacajawea with family and friends.
Chuck retired as a route salesman for the Sweetheart Bakery in Minot, ND where he worked for more than 30 years. He was known as Uncle Chuck to his many nephews and nieces. Chuck attended many of their athletic and other school activities in North and South Dakota and even traveled to Arizona to cheer them all on.
Charles is survived by a sister; Nancy (Jeff) Rose of Redfield, SD; brothers: Thomas Koppinger, Fargo, ND and Patrick (Jeannie) Koppinger, Yuma, AZ; sister-in-law Lynn Koppinger, Douglas, ND; nephews and nieces: Douglas (Melissa) Koppinger of Minot, ND; Todd (Laura) Koppinger, Centralia, MO; Joe (Jen) Koppinger, Minot, ND; Heather (Adam) Spotanske Harrisburg, SD, Christina Batteen, Sioux Falls, SD; Robb Batteen, Aberdeen, SD, Jayson (Lindsay) Koppinger, Truckee, CA; and Matthew Koppinger, Tucson, AZ; great nephews and nieces: Devin (Maddie) Koppinger, Ashley (Tyler) Piatz; Davis (Molly) Koppinger, Abby Koppinger, Charley Koppinger, Tucker Koppinger, Trapper Koppinger, Harper Culbertson, Cecilia Culbertson, Kaitlyn Batteen, Peyton Moore, Piper Moore, Camden Koppinger and Reece Rose Koppinger.
He was preceded in death by parents, Joseph and Magdalene Koppinger, brother; Richard Koppinger, sisters: JoAnn Koppinger, Kathryn Koppinger; nieces, Anne Culbertson and Tara Rogers and sister-in-law Lolita Koppinger.
Chuck was a member of numerous organizations and groups including Marine Corps League, VFW-Minot and Douglas Nifty Fifty.
Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot. To view a delayed streaming of the service, available July 20, access https://www.mtmsales.net/thomas
Interment will be in the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery, Mandan, ND
Visitation: Tuesday, July 18, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with a Vigil Prayer Service and Recitation of the Rosary at 6:30 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery in Mandan, ND.
