Steve Koopman, Former Owner of Skate Country Dies

Dubuque lost a great one Monday. Steve Koopman, the former owner of Skate County, died Monday of a malignant brain tumor. He was 70. Koopman grew up in Waterloo and began working at Skate Country in 1974. A few years later, he became the owner of Skate Country, which became his life’s work. Throughout the years, Steve touched many lives through his work at Skate Country, providing a safe and supportive environment for many young people. Steve’s patience and good humor made him beloved by staff and customers alike. Steve was grateful for the friends he met throughout the years at Skate County, many of whom became like family. Koopman owned Skate Country for 35 years.  In June, Steve and his wife, Kerry, sold the building to Tri-State Christian School. A funeral for Steve Koopman will be Friday at 11am at St. John the Baptist Church in Centralia.