On July 7, 2022, Joan LaVerne Copen went to be with her Lord and Savior and many family and friends that have gone before her. She was the daughter of Wayne W. Veale and Vera M. (Morroway) Veale, born on November 28, 1942. She was a graduate of Mary D. Bradford, Class of 1961, and completed her Associates Degree at Gateway Technical College and went on to become an LPN in 1963. In 1970, she was united in marriage to Harry “Izzy” Copen. The marriage ended in law, but not in love in 1991. Joan loved the work she’d done for over 50 years. She worked many years at St. Catherines Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital in Racine and many private duty jobs before retiring in 2008 after many years at Hospitality Manor Nursing and Rehab. She enjoyed the outdoors and doing fishing, water skiing, gardening, taking care of her yard and cutting her grass until health issues ended her joys in life.
She was preceded in death by mother and father, Vera and Wayne Veale. Her husband, Harry “Izzy” Copen.Her sister, Barbara J. (Ted) DeLaMatter. Her step-son-in-law, Dennis Bartel Sr. and her grandson and granddaughter, Dennis Bartel, Jr. and Toni (Bartel) Klassy, and her step-daughters, Judy (Copen) Bartel and Janet (Copen) Steinhoff. She is survived by her brother, Wayne W. (Debbie) Veale of Marshall, MI. A niece and nephew, Diana (DeLaMatter) and Don Billings of New Braunfels, TX. A nephew and niece, Richard W. and Kimberly DeLamatter of Milwaukee, WI. and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and several grandchildren and great grandchildren. Finally, she is survived by her loving and caring daughter Gina Louise Copen and her grandson, Elliot Isadore Copen who were the light and loves of her life.
A special thank you to my amazing friends Rosie Pawlowski-Ashmus and Charlene Lundquist for all you have done for me and don’t forget to remember the good times! Also, thank you do Dr. Shah, Jo and team, as well as the amazing nursing staff at Aurora Medical Center.
The family will be having a private family service, but would love for you to join us at Casa Capri on Sunday, July 10th from 12-3 P.M. to share memories, and enjoy a toast and a meal.
