Kathy Foran Koper
September 12, 1951 ~ June 23, 2010
Kathy was born to Howard and Bernice Foran in Breckenridge, Minnesota on September 12, 1951. She grew up in Lidgerwood, ND where she lived until moving to Fargo in 1968. Kathy graduated from Fargo South in 1969. She attended North Dakota State College of Science where she obtained her nursing degree. She began work at St. Luke's Hospital, Fargo in 1970 and worked at Meritcare Hospital, dedicating 38 years to her nursing career. She married Paul Peters in 1978. Kathleen married Daniel R. Koper on June 27, 2009 in Fargo.
Kathy loved to dance. She was known and admired in her younger days as a very good dancer. Kathy had a special gift for making friends easily. It is hard to find someone who did not become her friend upon meeting her. She loved her family and cherished her friends.
She enjoyed flowers, especially wave petunias and marigolds, which she grew in containers on her balcony. She also kept an eye out for seasonal decorations and seemed to have a knack for finding a bargain, although she was not above purchasing something really special if the mood struck her.
Kathy had a fine touch as a decorator and was particularly proud of work she had done in her bedroom and living room.
Most of all Kathy was devoted to her work as a nurse. She worked in various hospital departments over the years including neurology, orthopedics, cardiac care, resource team, and, most recently, physical rehabilitation.
Kathy became especially fond of older patients and loved to listen to their stories. As a nurse she provided excellent care, being very attentive to each patient's needs.
Kathy will be greatly missed by her family and friends who were blessed to have shared her life.
Kathy is survived by her husband, Dan, Fargo; sisters, Nancy (Patrick) Reisnour, Valerie Foran, Kimberly (James) Peroz; brother, Gary (Katie) Foran; brother-in-law, Carl Sakamoto. Nieces and nephews: Alex and Adam Reisnour, Ella, Erin, and Brian Foran, Emily Sakamoto, and Joshua, Belinda, and Jack Peroz. Step-children: Jennifer Koper (Karl Dischinger), Zachary Koper, and Gabrielle (Nathan) Payne. Step-grandchildren: Natalie and Mason Payne.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Bernice Foran; and sister, Linda Sakamoto.
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fergus falls mn mnDear sister, i miss you so much C.hristmas us so painful without you.
Fargo ND
I was very saddened to hear about the loss of Kathy. I had the pleasure of having lunch with her not long ago……I had no idea that she was gone…….I will miss her VERY MUCH. I will miss her smile and her hugs…….. I just found out today……..HUGS TO HER FAMILY. There will never be another Kathy…..God bless you all……..Goodbye my friend, Goodbye
Horace North Dakota
To all who loved that redhead!
I met Kathy through a mutual friend, Laura Holmes. I’ve known her for serveral years now and enjoyed hearing her childhood stories and how she fell in love with this Dan guy..whom I finally met…”when you wish upon a star” was truly appropriate for their wedding song! I think about her special laugh and miss her genuine hugs! She certainly left an indelible print on my heart forever. She believed the hope the Bible holds out that one day this earth will be a paradise and life will be the way it was meant to be with no wickedness, sickness or death. She prayed for the Kingdom to come and truly bring about God’s will for the earth as it is in heaven. Sincerely, Edie Wysocki
LaMoure ND
I met Kathy after my accident leaving me a parapalegic. She was one of my primary nurses once I moved to the rehab dept. We then found out through my half sister-Bobbie jo Hackman, that in fact we were cousins! How exciting! She then brought in photo albums of her family and Hackmans in younger years spending time on the farm. Not only that, I had a 103.5 fever one night and she sat with me after her 11:00 shift ended for several hours until my fever broke! Not many people would do that! And those were a few of the many things she helped me through. Not a better lady have I met! I tried at one point to get ahold of her after I got home, but she no longer worked there and privacy did not allow any info-due to an unlisted phone number! What I would have done for a chance to hug her and thank her for all she helped me through!
Lisbon ND
Kathy and I attended Wahpeton together and I remember her as a happy funny loving person.
Fargo North Dakota
I truly think that Kathy will be missed in the health field. She loved what she did. I also remember how she loved to dance and would challange others. I was glad to be part of her life. It’s hard to believe she is gone.
Wahpeton North Dakota
Dan and family. I am so sorry to hear of Kathy passing. My prayers and thoughts are with you at this time. If anything you need, you may call on Ray and I anytime. For the short time that I knew Kathy, she was an inspiration for everyone. She was a likeable person right away and enjoyed being around people. She was the joy of your guys lives and was glad to meet her when I did. God will lead you the way and guide all of you through this time.
Dakota Dunes SDI am so sorry to hear about your loss of Kathy. We went to college together and we had so much fun. Yes, she loved to dance.
May you treasure your memories as I will mine.
In Sympathy, Sherry Isley
To the family of Kathy,
I am very sorry for your loss. I worked with Kathy at MeritCare for many years and I always looked forward to seeing her. She and I had lovely chats. Kathy had an extreme love for people and her job. She had a kind and loving heart and I am so very sad for you all. God bless.
Fargo ND
I was a classmate of Kathy’s from wahpeton state school of science, practical nursing program in Wahpeton and for our clinicals in Valley City, ND
. She was a delightful person to know. My fondest memory of Kathy was when we were student nurses living in Birch Hall. I can still see Kathy coming down the hall or stairway wearing her Chicken slippers. She had a special step to go with those slippers and it had us all in stitches, laughing so hard. We also played on the softball team in Valley City, the “Mercy Injectors”. We weren’t very but we had great fun. It has been several years since I last saw Kathy, but even then she was having fun learning how to rollerblade. She is greatly missed by all who knew her. My sympathies go out to Kathy’s family.
May she rest in peace and go with God’s blessing.
Fargo ND
Kathy and I went to school together in Lidgerwood, and she was one of my best friends. She was so much fun and man could she move those hips!!! I am so sorry to hear of her passing, and although I believe she is in a much better place, she will be missed. I will keep her family in my prayers, and again I am so sorry for your loss.
West Fargo ND
Dear Val & family & friends of Kathy,
I was saddened to read of Kathy’s death. I had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know her when I had the priviledge of helping Bernice at Elim. She definitely added joy & energy to those around her. I have been blessed by knowing her. You are in my prayers . . . hug, hug, Ross
Audubon MN
I am so very sorry to hear of Kathy’s passing,she was a wonderful person to have known.I had worked with her for several years and always enjoyed her kind and caring demeanor. She always took quality time for her patients and coworkers,too. I cherish the memories.
May God Bless you and your Families at this precious time.
Fergus Falls MN
Nancy & Family
There comes a time for each for us
When nothing can be done
To ease the pain and sorrow
Of losing a beloved one
It’s at these times we need
More than we ever could say
The quiet touch of understanding
The loving look or gaze
So rather than try to take away
The grieving feelings inside
Just know that we are thinking of you
And time will be your guide
Fargo ND
Kathy and I were very good friends in the 70’s and 80’s and oh how she loved to dance. Wild and crazy as she was and thoroughly enjoyed dancing. Her home was perfect and she was always in good spirts. She was always bubbly and helped me through many difficult times in my life. I loved that girl. I am so sorry about your loss and my prayers are with you all day and night. She will be greatly missed by all you know her as she truely was a great friend and I will never forget her.
Belvidere ILKnow that our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. kathy was a wonderful full of spirit individual and greg and i will miss her. we so enjoyed her visits when she came to illinois. we considerate ourselves very fortunate to have known and spent time with kathy. she will be missed terribly.
I am so sorry to hear of Kathy’s passing. I worked with Kathy for many years. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
Moorhead MinnSo sorry to hear of Kathys passing.
I worked with her for many years
Wahpeton ND
No words are ever sufficient at a time like this, Dan. But please know that I am thinking of you and praying you receive strength from God for the difficult days and weeks ahead.
Take care of yourself too.
Deb
Val Jean and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. Peace to each of you……
Fergus Falls MN
To Dan and all of Kathy’s family. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Kathy was a delightful person who will be missed very much. My heart goes out to you all. Karen