Dennis Orville Copper

MADISON-Dennis O. “Denny” Copper, age 84, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 24, 2018, at Oak Park Place.  He was born on January 10, 1934, in Waukegan, Ill., the son of Allen and Helen Copper. Denny grew up in the town of Trevor and went to school in Wilmot, Wis. He entered the U.S. Air Force his senior year in high school and spent two years in England during his tour of duty.  Eventually he re-enlisted and was stationed at Truax Field in Madison, where he met his future wife, Mary “Alice” May. After two years of courtship, they married on Oct. 25, 1958, at St. James Church. Their first child came along on their first anniversary. Upon being discharged, Denny started working as a lab technician in cardiovascular research at UW-Madison, as well as at the School of Pharmacy. Denny was fascinated with cars and upon retirement, acquired a dealer’s license and worked at a small car lot for several years.  For a change of scenery Denny and Alice went on several bus trips, including Orange Beach, Ala., and Niagra Falls on the Canada side. They flew to Las Vegas to a nephews wedding and took a trip to the Hoover Dam in Laughlin, Nev., and made trips to Hayward every July to celebrate his dad’s birthday and visit family. This was their summer vacation. Denny was a homebody and enjoyed every moment.  He also enjoyed reading, fishing, dancing, and playing Euchre.  Denny is survived by his wife, Alice; three sons, David (Mary) of Naples, Fla., Brad and Jason; his sister, Fran (Leo) Petrouske of Hayward; special grandchildren, Michael (Cathryn) of Blacksburg, Va., and Tammi (Dennis Aro) of Naples, Fla.; great-grandchildren, Leonard and Otis Copper; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 29, 2018, with Father Chad Droessler presiding. Burial will be held at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cancer and Alzheimer’s research or to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Endowment Fund.  A special thanks to the caring staff at Oak Park, the terrific team at Agrace HospiceCare and Father Chad Droessler for his visits, prayers and support, as well as to all who helped us throughout the last two months. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.  Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Dr. (608) 221-5420