Obituary for Phillip Monroe Goplen Phillip M. Goplen, age 97, of Zumbrota passed away on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at Pine Haven Care Center in Pine Island. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 at 11:00 am at United Redeemer Lutheran Church with Reverend Dr. Marggi J. Pleiss-Sippola officiating. A one hour visitation will be held prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.
Burial will be in the Zumbrota Cemetery with Military Honors. Arrangements were made with Mahn Family Funeral Home – Larson Chapel. Phillip Monroe Goplen was born on June 18, 1921 to Martin and Marie (Greseth) Goplen in Roscoe Center.
He attended and graduated from Wanamingo High School in 1940, that same year he entered the United States Army Air Corps. Phil had a long and successful career in the United States Air Force retiring in 1965 with the rank of Lt. Colonel.
He married Elsie Buvinghausen on December 4, 1943 in Big Spring, TX. After retiring from the Air Force, Phil worked at Gopher Aviation in Rochester as a pilot/mechanic after several years he moved to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and worked for Elliot Beach Craft in Eden Prairie. After retiring in the late 1970s they moved to Zumbrota, where he volunteered as an EMT on the Zumbrota Ambulance.
Phil also ran a gun shop and had a wood working shop. Phil was also an active member of the United Redeemer Lutheran Church. Phil and Elsie were hospice volunteers for many years.
Phil enjoyed having coffee with friends, golfing, playing Bridge, taking his grandchildren to demolition derbies, and especially spending time with his wife and family. Phil is survived by his son, Larry (Kristine) Goplen; grandchildren, Jennifer (LaMont) Starch, Nate (Tricia) Goplen, Nick Goplen, and Nolan (Jennifer) Goplen; nine great-grandchildren, Tyler, Xander, Andrew, Rachel, Haley, Isaac, McKenna, Eli, and Ila; five siblings, Ruby (Lester) Johnson, Francis Goplen, Edith Hollibaugh, Maynard Goplen, and Arly Goplen; and numerous nieces and nephews. Phil was preceded in death by his loving wife of 71 years, Elsie; son, Ronald Goplen; brother, Sherman Goplen; sisters-in-law, Louise Goplen, and Edith Goplen; and brother-in-law, Homer ‘Bud’ Hollibaugh.
Memorials preferred to Mayo Clinic for cancer research or United Redeemer Lutheran Church. Special thanks and appreciation to Pine Haven Care Center and Heartland Hospice for the love and care he received. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Phillip Monroe Goplen please visit our Sympathy Store.
Upcoming Events Visitation , NOV 21. 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM United Redeemer Lutheran Church US Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before Phillip’s Visitation begins. Memorial Service , NOV 21.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM United Redeemer Lutheran Church US Order Flowers for the Memorial Service Guaranteed delivery before Phillip’s Memorial Service begins.
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