Obit: Kopps, Rudy (1898? - 1954)

Contact: Stan

Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Kopps, Neuman

----Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 07/29/1954

Kopps, Rudy (1898? - 29 JUL 1954)

Rudolph Kopps, 56, ended his life with a blast into his head from a 32 Winchester Special rifle sometime early this morning.

Kopps, unmarried, was home at the time of the drastic decision.

Relatives told county officials when they investigated the death this forenoon that he had been drinking heavily since before the 4^th of July.

Since Sunday he had been staying nights at the home of his brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Kopps, route 1, Curtiss (Clark Co., Wis.), who had also been assisting him with his chores.

They last saw him late Wednesday evening after helping him with his chores at his farm located four and one-half miles east of Owen, on the south side of Highway 29.  He told them then that he was feeling better and would remain at home.

He further added that he felt he would be able to do the chores himself in the morning.  But being that he has no automobile or farm truck they planned to stop by and pick him up this morning, as he needed some feed for his livestock.  They then planned to help him today with his haying.

When they arrived at his one room farm home this morning at nine o’clock they found the screen door hooked from inside and saw him stretched out on the bed.

They figured then something was wrong as on several occasions within the last 10 days he had said that if he didn’t soon pull himself together he was going to put the 32 in his head.

John Bergemann, county coroner, said no inquest was planned.

He is survived by two brothers, Harry, route 1, Curtiss, and Franklin, a resident of the state of Washington, and one sister, Mrs. Walter Neuman, route 1, Curtiss.