Virginia (Ginny) H. Goplen

MADISON- Virginia (Ginny) H. Goplen, age 88, of Madison passed away peacefully at Agrace HospiceCare on May 12, 2014, surrounded by family. She was born on April 13, 1926, to Karl and Almyra Helwig of South Wayne, Wis., the oldest of four children (Bill, Karl and Beth). She grew up in Waupaca and later Superior, Wis. She attended the UW-Madison where she met Leslie (Les) J. Goplen. They were married in June 1948. Ginny graduated in 1949 with a B.S. in Home Economics. Ginny and Les were founding members of the Monona Methodist Church and active in the choir and bible study groups. Ginny taught home economics and adult education classes while raising three children, Gary, Pamela and Bruce in Monona. In 1970, she returned to UW-Madison for her MS in Counseling, becoming a counselor at McFarland High School for ten years. After two years of advanced training, she became a marriage and family psychotherapist for the remainder of her career (20 years), working at the Madison Holistic Health Center and founding the Birch Springs Center in Monona. Ginny constantly studied nutrition, wholeness and health. She kept up a rigorous daily yoga routine for 50 years, contributing to her overall youthfulness and energy. Some of Ginny’s passions included: singing (with Les in the church and Ruth Harris Gospel choirs), sewing, knitting, guitar, accordion and piano. She was always exploring new creative artistic expressions; sculpting, creative stitchery, watercolors and oil painting. She loved gardening, camping, biking, swimming, cross country skiing and hiking. One of her greatest challenges was a five week trip to Europe alone; visiting 12 countries, staying in hostels and meeting new people. In later years, Ginny and Les traveled the world together, often camping, hiking or living out of a backpack. Les passed away in April 2005. Ginny was always very generous to a wide variety of charities, including for decades continually supporting the Christian Children’s Fund. In 2009, Ginny married Frank Anderson (her first boyfriend from Superior). They enjoyed visiting friends and family and getting “lost” on afternoon car rides exploring the countryside. Frank and Ginny have spent many winters escaping the cold weather in Florida. Frank has made Ginny very happy in their “golden years” of retirement together and provided tremendous love and support during her recent challenges. Ginny is survived by her loving husband, Frank Anderson; three children, Gary (Sandra) Goplen of Stoughton, Pamela (Mark) Hollowell of Clyde Park, Mont., and Bruce (Vicky) Goplen of Edgerton; four grandchildren, Bradley Goplen of Monroe, Chad Goplen (Sherri) of Janesville, Christopher (Kelley) Goplen of Madison and Kevin (Amanda) Goplen of Deerfield; two great-granddaughters, Lily and Beatrice Goplen; a brother, Karl (Opal) Helwig of Winona, Minn.; a sister, Beth Martin of Madison; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her first husband of 56 years, Leslie Goplen; her parents; a brother, Bill Helwig; and brother-in-law, Norman Martin of Whitewater. Memorial services will be held at GUNDERSON STOUGHTON FUNERAL HOME, 1358 Hwy 51, Stoughton at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, May 20, 2014. A luncheon at the VFW in Stoughton will follow internment at Lutheran Cemetery South. Visitation will take place at the funeral home from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., on Monday, May 19, 2014 and also from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday. The family would like to thank Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg for their compassionate care. Ginny spent her life helping other people; always devoted to a deeply-spiritual inner journey of personal growth. Ginny’s been an inspiration to all who crossed her path. To know Ginny was to love her. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Stoughton Funeral & Cremation Care 1358 Highway 51 N. @ Jackson (608)873-4590