Giving back and paying it forward
Steven and Lynnetta Kopp were raised to care about community and to value giving – especially “giving back.” That is why they are proud supporters of Gundersen Medical Foundation. Not only do they see the impact of the Foundation in our community, but as they love to share, they are first and foremost grateful patients.
Steven grew up on a farm in Centerville, Wis., and considered Gundersen his healthcare provider for more than 60 years. His family doctored at Gundersen, and when he and Lynnetta moved to the area from Minnesota to be close to family, there was no question that Lynnetta would obtain her healthcare at Gundersen as well.
When Steven’s mom began to decline in health, the family witnessed first-hand the compassionate care for which Gundersen is known. “The outlook for Steven’s mom was poor, but Dr. Greg Thompson did not give up. He gave her seven more years of life, which meant seven more years of family,” remembers Lynnetta. “Her Gundersen team cared for her – and about her – until her very last breath.”
Before the Kopps moved back to the La Crosse area, their careers placed them in a variety of cities, including Minneapolis, Los Angeles and Chicago. “We’ve lived in a lot of cities with many different medical facilities,” says Steven, “but the care we have received at Gundersen is second-to-none. People who leave the area soon see the difference, which is why we chose to return to Gundersen for our healthcare even when we didn’t live nearby.”
For Steven and Lynnetta, supporting the Foundation is a way to “give back” for the care they receive while also “paying it forward” to ensure the same quality of healthcare for future generations.
Care for Community
In addition to their personal experiences, the Kopps’ professional experiences have also given them confidence in their choice to invest in the Foundation.
Steven worked in the financial industry as the chief information officer of a large accounting firm before retiring. A dedicated community volunteer, Steven has served on the La Crosse School Board and the board for The Parenting Place. He currently volunteers for WAFER and serves on the board of directors for a regional bank, as well as on the Advisory Board for Western Technical College’s IT Program.
This community involvement has allowed him to meet other volunteers, including many Gundersen leaders and employees. “I see many people who are part of Gundersen’s care teams are also part of our community team,” says Steven, “and that impresses me.”
Lynnetta’s career expertise in fundraising and non-profits led her to serve in a variety of leadership roles in the community, including positions at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, the Humane Society of La Crosse and Coulee Region RSVP, Inc., where she served as the Executive Director for 15 years. By the time she retired, she had witnessed the many ways Gundersen partners with other community organizations, and she had begun to learn more about the breadth and depth of the Foundation’s programming.
“All gifts to the Foundation permeate throughout the community,” she says. “Whether it’s support for medical education, research or initiatives that improve population health, the Foundation is actively working to increase the quality of life for everyone.”
Because the organization’s mission aligns closely with her own, Lynnetta joined the Foundation’s Board of Directors in 2015. She serves on the Philanthropy and Nomination Committees and is currently the vice chair.
Impacting the Next Generation
In retirement, Steve and Lynnetta continue to volunteer and to enjoy their hobbies. While they both enjoy traveling and dogsitting their two “granddogs,” Steven enjoys motorcycling and Lynnetta enjoys running marathons.
Several years ago, the couple also became members of the Foundation’s Legacy Society. “It was easy to include the Foundation in our estate plan,” say both Steven and Lynnetta, “It feels good to give, knowing the Foundation will be an excellent steward of our gifts.”