Thelma "Elaine" Koopmann
Jan. 31, 1929-Nov. 9, 2025
Livermore, California
Thelma “Elaine” Koopmann January 31, 1929 - November 9, 2025
We lost our beloved Elaine, a ninety-six-year-old, beautiful spirit. She had been a resident of Livermore, CA, for the past fifteen years. Elaine passed away in the comfort of her own home, under Hospice of the East Bay care. Her love, kindness, generosity, strength…and smile, will always be remembered.
Elaine was born to Edward and Thelma (Schilling) Secada in Oakland, CA, on January 31, 1929. Her family was living in San Francisco and moved to Sunol in 1938. She graduated from Sunol Glen Elementary School with nine other classmates. She was a cheerleader while attending Amador High in Pleasanton, for three years. Elaine spent her Senior year at the old Hayward High School (where Hayward City Hall now stands), graduating there.
Elaine married the love of her life, a native of Pleasanton, Robert L. “Bob” Koopmann in 1947. They were married sixty-four years. In their retirement, they traveled across the United States with their trailer, boat and fishing poles, meeting up with and making lifelong friends. They also traveled to Europe several times to follow their ancestry. In 1984, Bob and Elaine built a home in Murphys, CA, where they lived until health issues required them to move to Livermore.
Bob and Elaine were instrumental figures in the development of Pleasanton and active in the community. Elaine and Bob started a linoleum and carpet business in 1953. Koopmann Linoleum was located on the corner of Main Street and Angela Street for twenty-three years. Later, they built a shopping center, Adobe Plaza, which was completed in 1978 on Ray Street and soon moved their business there. Bob renovated the Kottinger Adobe Barn/jail of 1852 that was located on the property. With Elaine’s efforts, this site was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Elaine sold the Adobe Plaza in 2021 to Bruce and Erika Torquemada. Through the Torquemada’s love of Adobe Plaza, the Koopmann legacy lives on.
Elaine joined the Pleasanton Soroptimist business women’s club in 1956 and became a Life Member. She was instrumental and spearheaded the chartering of the Dublin Soroptimist in 1982. Elaine was President in 1962-63, and 1972-73. She proudly represented her club, on the Board of Directors for Amador Valley Scholarships Inc. for 14 years. She was a pillar for women in business. Other affiliations were many but, she was a longtime member of Native Daughters of the Golden West (NDGW), (Elaine was a dual member to Ruby Parlor, Murphys and Angelita Parlor, Livermore); NDGW Past Presidents Association; Museum on Main; Tulancingo Sister City; Hayward Historical Society; Business and Professional Women’s Club (PBW); and most recently a Life Member of VFW Auxiliary Post 7265, Livermore. She attended meetings up until her last year at age ninety-six for these charitable organizations.
Elaine joins her late husband Bob Koopmann, son Dennis Michael Koopmann (infant death) and daughter Marilyn Koopmann Rowe (died 1997). She is survived by her sister Carole Lewis of Fremont; and two children Sheryl Stanger (Virgil) and Robert C. “Bob” Koopmann (Julie). Her grandchildren: Sarah (Brick), Monnica, Tonya, Virgil “Russ” (Polly), Rosie, Sheryl Anna, Tyler and Abbie. Her great grandchildren are: Kayla, Joe, Nikki, David, Carlie, Hadley, Sadie, Kaden, Lupin and Benny. The extraordinary love she shared with all of us remains in our hearts forever. We will always miss her.
