Funeral services for Fred Schopp, longtime Athboy area rancher will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 11, 2019 at St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lemmon, SD.  Pastor Mark Weis will officiate with burial to follow in the Greenhill Cemetery at Lemmon.

Fred passed away at his home, near Athboy, SD, on Sunday, March 3, 2019.

FRED ALBERT SCHOPP was born May 21, 1936, on the Schopp Homestead by Athboy, SD, to John and Emilia (Janz) Schopp. He was baptized at St. Paul's Lutheran Church at Athboy. Fred graduated from elementary school and helped his parents on the family farm. He met his lifelong companion, Beverly Becker, in Lemmon, SD, and they were united in marriage on May 23, 1954, at St. Luke's Lutheran Church.

Fred and Bev began their life together on the Schopp Ranch. Together they raised their six children; Laurie, Connie, Sherry, Janice, Raymond, and Kayleen.

Fred enjoyed many interests and hobbies, but his love for ranching and farming was at the top of his list. He was very proud of his cow herd he had produced over the years as a rancher. He enjoyed working beside his son, Ray, at the Schopp Ranch. Fred's grandchildren and great grandchildren were the light of his life. He was a Lemmon Cowboy/Cowgirl fan and rarely missed any of his grandchildren's sporting and music events. Fred had a great impact on the lives of those who knew and loved him, and he will be greatly missed.

Fred also enjoyed many activities such as bowling, horseshoes, team  roping, woodworking, cards, puzzles, TV sports, and the Atlanta Braves. Whether he was on the Gator, lawnmower, or playing cards, he had a smile on his face and a Pepsi in his hand. He was a member of the Black Horse Creek Saddle Club and served on the church council. Fred and Bev were the 2010 Boss Cowman Honorees, and were Lemmon Sports Booster Fans of the year in 2008 – both of which he was very proud of.

Fred was a member of the St. Luke's Lutheran Church. He was a devout Christian and his strong faith carried him through trials and tribulations with his Parkinson's disease. Having been diagnosed with the disease for 30 plus years, he continued to work hard in the daily operation of the ranch life.

Fred went to his heavenly home on Sunday, March 3, 2019 at his home on the Schopp Ranch from complications of Parkinson's disease. He was born, lived his entire life, raised a family and passed from this life – all in the same house.  Fred is survived by 3 daughters and sons-in-law, Laurie and Dan Hoff, Connie and Bob Hourigan, all of Lemmon, SD; Janice Schopp (Tim Moore) Belle Fourche, SD; 1 son and daughter-in-law, Raymond and Julie Schopp, Meadow, SD; Son-In-Law, Mike (Siblut) Ginther Lemmon, SD, 13 grandchildren, Jeff (Jennifer) Rutz, Dusty (Jenny) Hourigan, Bobi Jo (Jeremy) Wuebben, Lance (Jaylea) Hourigan, JaCoebi (Merrissa) Moore, Weston (Katelin) Ginther, Andrew Sackmann, Jessie (Tanner) Boeddeker, Danci Hoff, Katie, Kelly, Krista, and Justin Schopp; 13 great grandchildren; one sister, Rose Martin, Shadehill, SD; one brother, Edwin Schopp, Roanoke, VA; and numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of nearly 63 years, Bev; 2 daughters, Sherry Schopp and Kayleen Ginther; and three brothers, Emil, John and Richard Schopp.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 10, 2019 at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon, SD.

A family service will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 10, 2019 at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon.