Galen Kuper

Galen Kuper, age 85, died peacefully on Nov. 10, 2025, on the land he loved, farmed, and lived on in Scotch Grove, Iowa. 

      Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, at St. John Lutheran Church, rural Monticello, with interment in the Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, at Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello.   

      Galen was born Dec. 31, 1939, in Stanley, Iowa, the son of August and Milly (Rickels) Kuper. He attended Monticello High School and graduated in 1957.   

      In December 1962, Galen was drafted into the Army where he served two years as Army Sargent E5 in the 7th Corps. He was stationed in Ft. Davis, Calif. where he was a telephone operator and then later stationed in Stuttgart-Möhringen, Germany where he had military police duty until he was discharged in 1964. 

      Galen met and married Anna Avis on May 22, 1965. Ann was the black-haired beauty that stole his heart for many years. Galen and Ann bought a farm in Scotch Grove and started farming, which continued for 30 years. Galen then worked as a guard at the Anamosa State Penitentiary for 18 years from 1985 to 2003. 

      Galen's passion for sports was evident throughout his life, from playing football, basketball, and track in high school to proudly continuing his football career in the Army.  He was a devoted fan of the Hawkeyes and Bears, an admirer of Caitlin Clark, and a proud spectator at all his family's sporting events.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman, with memorable hunts in Canada where he took a moose and a black bear. Later in life he gained a passion for gardening and woodworking, where he created cedar furniture and walking sticks. Galen enjoyed his retirement winters in Arizona, surrounded by caring friends who gathered nightly around his firepit for social gatherings. His lemon meringue pie was a signature dessert, made with fresh lemons from the trees in Arizona. Galen was a member of St John’s Lutheran church in Monticello. 

      Survivors include his two children, Lori (Jason) DeWald and Mike Kuper, both of Scotch Grove; grandchildren, Tyler (Lauren) and Brayden Kuper, Sagan DeWald; sibling Janet (Quintin) Davis of Scotch Grove; 20 nieces and nephews as well as many other relatives. 

      He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Ann; son Steve; brother Duwain; and many other family members. 

      In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family are preferred.