That is Tom and Elie Koopmans. This La Harpe couple have spent countless hours helping other people. Since moving to La Harpe in 1990, they have served the La Harpe community well.
The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Judy Swanson, The Quill Staff
Webster's Dictionary gives the meaning of a volunteer as follows: One who enters into or offers oneself for a service of his/her own free will.
That is Tom and Elie Koopmans. This La Harpe couple have spent countless hours helping other people. Since moving to La Harpe in 1990, they have served the La Harpe community well.
Tom serves on the La Harpe Carnegie Library Board. Both are active in the Union Church where they attend. Tom serves on the Physical Properties Committee, while Elie is choir director and church clerk.
They host the Octoberfest, an annual event at the church, which includes a cookout, hayrack rides, and lots of games and fun.
Tom coordinated the church sponsored ice cream social held at Summerfest for 10 years before the church stopped doing it.
For years Tom and Elie have gone to the La Harpe-Davier Extended Care and picked up residents and taken them to church.
Another of their favorite things to do on Sunday is to take local senior citizens out to lunch.
They choose a place, pack up the van, and head out.
They may go to Carthage, Macomb, Biggsville, or Ft. Madison, or where ever there is good food.
At one time they had between 22-24 people going with them.
The Howard Thies' and Don Hilligoss helped drive when there were that many.
Since then, many of their dear friends have passed away, but the Koopmans continue on with their tradition.
They also take them on outings such as a ride to see the spring flowering trees, or fall foliage.
Once a year they cook Sunday dinner at their house and have an afternoon of fellowship.
They love flowers, especially Day Lilies. Tom not only takes care of his own flower beds, but volunteers to take care of the flower beds at the senior citizens center, the Library, and the Union Church.
He said all the Day Lilies in the church bed have Biblical names. Easter Sunday this year, Tom noticed the day lily called "Sent From Heaven" had two blooms on it. That same plant still had two blooms on it Labor Day.
Once a year the Koopmans coordinate a valentine party for couples of all ages at the 1850 House near Pontoosuc. Usually there are around 40 who attend.
Why do they do this? Tom said, "I've always done it, even when I was a young boy, I've always helped people."
You can tell from the "twinkle" in their eyes when they tell about the fun they've had, the people they've met, and the places they've gone, that they enjoy it as much, if not more, as the ones they've blessed.
Tom and Elie raised three sons, and two daughters in the Oquawka area. They now have 10 grandchildren, and spend as much time as they can with them. They have been married 48 years.
Tom was born in Kankakee County, went to a one-room schoolhouse in Koster and graduated from St. Ann High School.
Elie was born in Indiana, but was raised in Momence and graduated from Momence High School.
Even though they are supposed to be retired, Tom has worked part time for Housewright Contracting, Inc. for the last 9-10 years.
Elie drove the La Harpe Senior Citizens van for 9 years before she retired. She likes to walk.
They not only have many miles on their van to show what they have done, but they have many memories also and several scrapbooks.
La Harpe is truly blessed to have them as part of the community!