Glen Koop

Obituary

Glen Koop, age 84, of Steinbach, Manitoba, passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at Bethesda Regional Health Centre, Steinbach, MB.

Glen was born to his parents, Jacob & Gertrude (Plett) Koop of Kleefeld, Manitoba at Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach, Manitoba, on Dec. 8, 1940. He was the sixth in a family of 18 siblings.

He attended public school in the local Gruenfeld School until he turned 14, then left in the middle of Grade 8 to take a job at Schellenberg Store in Kleefeld. Among his duties was driving the fuel delivery truck, delivering 40-gallon barrels of gas to the local farmers. He became an expert at handling these large drums and preferred that the farmers left him alone to unload these heavy barrels.

But Glen was ambitious, in addition to being a hard worker, and moved to Steinbach where he worked at the Macleod’s Store as a clerk then to Winnipeg to take a series of jobs. He ended up at Reimer Express Lines as Parts Manager for several years.

During this time he attended the Aberdeen EMC Young People’s Meetings and was attracted to Betty Unger, a young woman from Landmark. They dated for several years. During this time Glen worked in Flin Flon in northern Manitoba, helping his brother Mel who was the pastor of a newly founded chapel.

Glen’s job was drilling rock to lay water & sewer pipes, which permanently damaged his hearing.

Glen and Betty were married on August 9, 1963 in the Kleefeld church, since Betty’s home church was struck by lightning and burned down not long before the wedding was to take place.

They settled into a cozy third-floor apartment in Winnipeg. Two years later they moved into a small house a few blocks over where they welcomed their first son, Russell Glen, in September, 1965.

Since his youth, Glen had felt called to the ministry and informed Betty of this when he proposed marriage, just to make sure she would know what life with him would probably entail. He had completed his First Year at SBI prior to their marriage and they moved to Steinbach so he could complete his studies there.

Then began their pastoral ministry, beginning at Euclid Mission in North Winnipeg. This was followed by serving at Aberdeen EMC for four years while Glen completed studies at University of Winnipeg and Mennonite Brethren Bible College, graduating with a BA in May of 1972. During this time, their second son, Douglas Brian, was born in December 1968. In November, 1971, final son Michael John joined the family.

In August of that year they moved to Harrisonburg, Virginia so that he could begin his studies at Eastern Mennonite Seminary. It was quite the challenging trip with three active youngsters in the back seat. The family tried to stop at motels that had a swimming pool so they could work off some energy. Glen graduated with a Master of Divinity degree in 1975.

He began his teaching career at Steinbach Bible College in 1975, and also was hired as pastor of the newly chartered Evangelical Fellowship Church, which was more than a full load. In total he was a professor at SBC for 19 years.

During his sabbatical, Glen & Betty moved to Lesotho in Southern Africa where Glen was pastor of an international, inter-denomination, inter-racial church. This was a most enriching experience!

Glen left teaching for full-time pastoral ministry in 1996, when he accepted a call to the LaCrete EMC in Northern Alberta. After more than seven years he retired but continued interim ministry, serving Ridgewood EMC, Good News Community Church, Birch River Fellowship Chapel and as well at EFC in Steinbach.

Retirement did not mean that he did not minister; it might be described as less structured, but still a whole-hearted involvement whenever opportunities arose. Glen was one who loved his Lord and sought to serve.

In 2022 Glen was diagnosed with Dementia which made its cruel encroachment into his brain. This was so heartbreaking for the family to watch. But medicine had no answers as we sadly watched him fade away.

We do rejoice that Glen is now with His Lord, Whom he loved and served with his whole heart, soul and mind throughout his life. Yes, he was also a human being with faults as all humans have, but we were so blessed to have him with us for 84 wonderful years.

Thank you to all who have supported and loved us over the years. May God bless you richly!

The viewing will be held on Monday, February 24, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB.

The livestreamed memorial service will be held Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB.

Private family interment will take place prior to the service at Heritage Cemetery.