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Sept. 12, 1966-Dec. 29, 2020
Tara M. (Koppinger)
Roger, 54, was called
home on Tuesday, De-
cember 29, 2020 after a
2-year battle of breast and
bone cancer in her home
in Douglas, ND with her
loved ones by her side.
Tara was born on Sep-
tember 12, 1966 at
Malmstrom Air Force
Base in Great Falls, MT to
Richard and Lynette
(Westby) Koppinger.
She was raised in Doug-
las, ND and attended
Trinity Lutheran Church
where she was confirmed.
She was educated at Max
Public School and gra-
duated in 1985.
She attended Minot
State University for one
year after high school
then began working at
REM where she cared for
adults and children with
intellectual and develop-
mental disabilities for a
number of years. Tara was
united in marriage to John
Roger and was later di-
vorced before moving to
Fargo, ND.
While in Fargo, ND she
had attended Health In-
surance classes at BC/BS
ND. She met her signifi-
cant other in 2010, Joel
Heis and his daughter,
Jordan. The three of them
resided in Hankinson, ND
where they enjoyed
spending time with family
and taking trips to the
lake. Tara, Joel and Jordan
later moved to Douglas,
ND to be closer to her
mother, Lynette, and fam-
ily. Tara was extremely
proud of Jordan and all
her accomplishments and
helped raise her as if she
was her own daughter
alongside Joel who pro-
vided all the love and
support.
Tara loved animals,
especially cats and dogs.
She enjoyed outdoor ac-
tivities of snowmobiling,
camping, fishing, boating
and tubing. She loved
cooking and baking. Tara
would make her Grandma
Elvera's secret stuffing re-
cipe for holiday gather-
ings along with her
famous caramels. She was
a big supporter of her
nieces and nephews
sporting events in their
high school years and was
their biggest fan. She
cherished her time spent
with family and friends.
Tara never failed to put
a smile on your face. With
her beautiful warm and
loving character, she was
a light in this dark world
that brought joy to those
around her. She was a
courageous fighter and it
showed through and
through.
Tara is survived by: her
mother, Lynette Kop-
pinger; significant other,
Joel Heis, and his
daughter Jordan, Douglas,
ND; brother Douglas
(Melissa) Koppinger,
Minot; nephews Devin
(Maddie) Koppinger,
Minot, Davis Koppinger,
Chandler, AZ; nieces Ash-
ley (Tyler) Piatz, Minot
and Abbey Koppinger,
Bismarck, ND;
great-nephew Aiden Kop-
pinger, Minot; aunts and
uncles.
She was preceded in
death by: her father,
Richard Koppinger;
paternal-grandparents:
Joseph and Myrt Kop-
pinger;
maternal-grandparents:
Ardell and Elvera Westby.
There will be no re-
viewal. A cremation has
taken place, however,
friends may sign a guest
register online.
Due to the Coronavirus
Pandemic a celebration of
life service will take place
on a future date.
Those wishing to sign
the online register and
share memories may ac-
cess the online obituaries
section at www.thompson
larson.com.