Obit: Kops, Shirley A.M. #2 (1935 - 2017)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Abel-Kops, Andrew, Baumgartner, Carpenter, Frane, Kops, Luzinski, Madison, Manickam, Rodriguez, Tyznik, Young

----Source: WIGM/WKEB Obituaries (Medford, WI) 5/23/2017

Kops, Shirley Ann Marie (Young) (29 AUG 1935 - 21 MAY 2017)

Shirley Ann Marie Kops, age 81 of Colby, Wisconsin was gently cradled into the arms of her Savior and Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday May 21, 2017. A devoted daughter, wife, mother and grandmother, Shirley was surrounded by her loving family at Tender Reflections Assisted Living Center in Weston, Wisconsin, where she lived her final year.

Shirley was born on August 29, 1935 in Marshfield, Wisconsin - daughter of William and Evelyn (Carpenter) Young, she was the 5th of their 7 children. She attended St. Mary's Grade School and Colby High School in Colby, Wisconsin. As a person whose faith and love of Jesus Christ was important to her, Shirley was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, including Christian Mothers. Her skills as a fine arts painter, a hobby developed as an adult, led her to help with restorations of the interior of the church sanctuary, including an earlier restoration of The Last Supper.

On September 24, 1952, Shirley was united in marriage to the love of her life, Leroy Lester Kops. Having met in high school, Leroy and Shirley began their married life together working and raising a family in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1960, they moved to Unity, Wisconsin - taking over the 120 acre family dairy farm. On selling the farm in 1971, the family moved 3 miles north into Colby, where Shirley worked for the Colby School District as a cook, or as Shirley would refer to it - as an "Executive Chef" from 1974 to 1998, a total of 24 years.

Although Shirley regarded her most important role in this life to be a loving wife, and mother to her 5 children, Shirley was also a successful female entrepreneur. In her late teens, she began selling Sarah Coventry Jewelry, and over her lifetime, Shirley started and operated other successful businesses - including Kops Ceramics for 12 years, along with becoming a certified Ceramics teacher. In addition, for 19 years she also owned a Market America/Shop.com UnFranchise business, which gave her the opportunity to work closely alongside her daughter Sandi and son Jim. During that period Shirley achieved the level of Professional Coordinator and had the opportunity to make hundreds of new and dear friends across the country.

Shirley enjoyed reading and traveling, but most of all she loved the Lord, her family and her neighbors. Never tiring of hearing the stories of, and seeing the pictures of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, when the ability to speak was taken away by Alzheimer's, she still was able to communicate by beaming her beautiful smile even into her final days.

She is survived by her children Kenneth (fiancé Rania) Kops of Novi, Michigan, Steven Kops of Clinton, Utah, James Kops of Marshfield, Wisconsin, Michael (Christine) Kops of Abbotsford, Wisconsin, Sandra (Steve) Rodriguez of Wausau, Wisconsin; 11 grandchildren Chad Abel-Kops, Mark (Susan) Abel, Nathan Kops, Ryan Kops, Jennifer Kops, Amanda Kops, Justin (Kim) Madison, Matthew Tyznik, Adam Tyznik, Jonathon (Amy) Tyznik, Joseph Rodriguez; 9 great grandchildren Soren & Henry Abel, Adalie & Nova Kops, Landen, Nolan & Jaelyn Madison, Kayden Fischer & Trenton Tyznik.

She is further survived by three siblings Dorothy (Vernon) Baumgartner, Louis (Joan) Young, both of Colby, Wisconsin, and Carol (Roger) Luzinski of Tomahawk, Wisconsin; brother-in-law Richard (Rose) Kops of Merrill, Wisconsin, 3 sisters-in-law Jackie Young of Colby, Judi Andrew of Colby, Evelyn Kops of Unity, and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, William and Evelyn, husband of 57 years, Leroy Lester Kops, her brothers William and Richard Young, sister Marjorie Frane and a daughter-in-law, Judi Ann Abel.

The family would like to express their deep and sincere appreciation to the staff and caregivers at Tender Reflections Assisted Living Center in Weston, Wisconsin. Their extra mile personal dedication to Mom's well-being and comfort, especially in her final days will never be forgotten. In addition, we extend our gratitude to Mom's hospice team, who also generously blessed us with their time and professionalism.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11am on Friday May 26, 2017 at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Parish in Colby, Wisconsin. Father Peter Manickam will officiate, with interment to follow at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.

Family and friends are welcome for visitation from 4:00pm until 8:00pm on Thursday May 25, 2017 at the Maurina-Schilling funeral home in Abbotsford, Wisconsin, as well as 10:00am until the time of service Friday at the church.

A lunch and time of sharing to honor the life of Shirley Kops will follow the interment in St. Mary's Catholic School Gym.