MADISON - Margaret JoAnne (Schiefert) Kopp, age 91, passed away on Feb. 27, 2024 in Madison. She was born on Aug. 30, 1932 in Livingston, Wis.

Margaret graduated from Livingston High School - Class of 1949. Several days after graduation she moved to Madison. Because she was only 16, finding a job was difficult. She worked in the kitchen at Methodist Hospital and as a waitress for Rennebohm’s, until approached by an acquaintance from home to work full-time for him as a clerk typist at the Department of Agriculture. Soon after, she began working in the state capital. She transferred from the Department of Agriculture to the University of Wisconsin’s heating facility in 1951, remaining there until she married Donald Kopp on April 17, 1954.

In 1957, Margaret began her career at Madison East High School. She started as a general secretary and eventually transitioned to secretary to the athletic director, a position she cherished. She enjoyed interacting with athletes and their parents, coaches, and officials of the Big 8 and WIAA. Margaret worked there for 34 years until her retirement in 1990.

Margaret enjoyed reading, with Danielle Steele, Sandra Brown and Debbie Macomber being a few of her favorite authors. She was an avid sports fan, following the Packers, Brewers, Bucks, Nascar, and of course the Badgers. She often kept a clipboard nearby to record her own sports statistics. Margaret bowled for many years, twice a week at one time. In the kitchen, she will be fondly remembered for her chicken dinners with gravy, BBQ, and Tomato/Onion salad.

Margaret and Don traveled throughout the United States, and looked forward to attending annual Airborne and Railroad conventions. They traveled to Australia and New Zealand, and vacationed in Alaska. She treasured spending the winters at their place in Mesa, Ariz., often saying the 100-degree temperatures were “perfect.”

Most of all, her family was very important to her. She was often sharing stories about them to anyone she met. She cherished her children’s activities as they were young, as well as into adulthood, attending many events to spend time together as a family.

Margaret is survived by her children, Jim (Lisa White) Kopp of Madison and Donna (Scott) Borchert of Cottage Grove; four grandchildren, Jennifer (JayJay) Riddle of Wakefield, Mich., Ashley (Brad) Wiese of Cottage Grove, Deanna Borchert of Madison, and Jason Borchert of Port Washington; and seven great-grandchildren, Rebecka, Richard “RJ”, Kaleb, Maddy, Ethan, Camron, and Jared. She recently developed a long-distance relationship with her half-sister, Kay (Schiefert) Lindsay of Carson City, Nev., having never known each other growing up.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; son, Duane; daughter-in-law, Charlie; parents; and sisters, June (Ole) Keene and Alice (Gordon) Hardy.

A celebration of life will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. A graveside service will follow at ROSELAWN MEMORIAL PARK, 401 Femrite Drive, Monona, at 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family for a memorial to be established in Margaret’s name.

“The world changes from year to year, our lives from day to day, but the love and memory of you,

shall never pass away.” Unknown

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Margaret J Kopp

August 30, 1932 - February 27, 2024

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