John M. 'Jack' Koeppl
June 04, 2010
Obituary
WEST BEND-John Jack Milton Koeppl, age 68, of Cedar Community, West Bend, died Friday, June 4, 2010, in Madison, with his wife Judy at his side. Husband to Judy; father to Jackie, Pat, and Kelly (and Checco), Brian, Susan, and Jeff; grandfather to James, Katelyn, Erin, Christopher, Katie G, and Lil' John; brother to Darl Dutton andCharmie (Bob) Schultz, Ron (Sharon) Koeppl and Jordan Koeppl; and uncle to many beautiful nieces and nephews. Jack was born in Milwaukee in 1941, to Audrey and Milton Koeppl. He graduated from Mayville High School where he met the love of his life, Judy. They were married in 1964 and were joined in marriage for 46 years. Jack was a graduate of Marquette University and Marquette Law School. He began his career as legal counselor in Madison with the law firm of Stafford, Rosenbaum, Reiser & Hanson in 1968, and finished his career at DeWitt, Ross & Stevens. He raised his children in Fitchburg and later Mt. Horeb, and recently moved with Judy to West Bend. Jack was a tremendous husband and father, an insatiable reader, amateur horticulturalist, bird lover, Scout Master, volunteer firefighter and EMT, novice aviator, adventurer, scholar, master storyteller, and lover of all things fun and wonderful and beautiful. Jack met everyone with a smile, treating everyone he met with dignity and respect. As a Red Cross volunteer, Jack spent months aiding families in the aftermath of hurricanes Charlie and Katrina, and other disasters closer to home. Jack was intolerant of injustice and stood up for what was right, no matter how difficult. He had a brilliant legal mind, adding a dose of mischievous playfulness into his professional accomplishments. His wonderful sense of humor was present in everything he did. A nature lover, Jack reveled in the majesty of the grand places that God has created. He loved being deep in the wilderness with a paddle, a fishing pole, and a volume of Robert Service poems. Jack believed that all life springs from God, and that life returns to God. We will miss him, will rejoice in our memories, and look forward to our reunion with him in heaven. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. FRANCIS CABRINI CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1025 S. 7th Ave., West Bend, at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 8, 2010, with Father Jeffrey Haines presiding. A visitation will be held at the church from 3 p.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday. The Gunderson East Funeral Home is assisting with these arrangements. A memorial gathering will be held on Wednesday, June 9, 2010, at San Damiano Friary, 4123 Monona Drive, Monona, at 4 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. with a time of sharing to begin at 6:30 p.m. The Ellestad Camacho Funeral Home is assisting with these arrangements.
Visitation:
A visitation will be held at the church from 3 p.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday.
Service:
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. FRANCIS CABRINI CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1025 S. 7th Ave., West Bend, at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 8, 2010, with Father Jeffrey Haines presiding. A memorial gathering will be held on Wednesday, June 9, 2010, at San Damiano Friary, 4123 Monona Drive, Monona, at 4 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. with a time of sharing to begin at 6:30 p.m.
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Memories
BW
Brad Werger
Other •
Judy, Jackie, Pat & Kelly,
Sorry for your loss. The short time I knew your dad when I was in high school touched my life. Your a strong family and god will take care of everything. Hang in there - Brad
JH
Jennifer Huber
Other •
To the family of Jack - I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I was introduced to Jack by my husband Larry Huber. Jack was a kind and wonderful man and I just want you to know how much he touched the lives of those in the fire service. Please know your family is in my thoughts and prayers as you move through this transition in your life.
With sympathy,
Jenni Huber
PK
Paul Kent
Other •
Judy and family, my sincere condolences. Jack will be sorely missed.
I remember when I first met Jack as a student at St. Paul’s. Jack was a man of deep faith but also a man of great intellect, and he demonstrated to me that the two were not irreconcilable. When Jack became a colleague at DeWitt I came to know him as a fierce advocate for his clients but also a man of great humor and warmth. When greeting him in the office with a “how are you?” he invariably responded by saying “I’m great!” As a friend, Jack introduced me to books on tape as a way of re-engaging an interest in literature, including obscure books I never would have read but for his suggestions. It’s a habit that I still enjoy. He shared his stories about Scouts and outdoors, and provided encouragement when I was a Scout leader. Upon his retirement he shared his experiences with the Red Cross and other relief agencies. For a person of such intellect and skill, he found joy in the simple acts of handing out food to those in need during disaster relief, something any of us could do. As his license plate reflected, he was grateful for all things. And he was especially proud of his family -- Judy, his children and grandchildren. Even in his final months he remained grateful for all he had, continued to share his life with others and continued to look forward to next year’s flowers. A remarkable man of such depth and contrasts and love of life. I was grateful to know him and will always remember him.
KC
Kris (Rieck) Coffey
Other •
Dearest Judy, woman of strength and courage and acceptance and hope!
What challenges this year and recent times! May Jack soar with Tom and Frank. And, may these new saints share their tales of soaring with their favorite sister.
WIth gratitude for every one of our brief, but intense, shared memories,
Kris Coffey (Rieck)
PS Heard just now from Carole Everton thru Gabe Blood. We are in MKE with John just home from 12 days at St. Luke's and 6 in ICU; my hip replacement on 4.26 kept me from GB; and John's daily IV antibiotics keep me from Madison.