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Gerardus “Jerry” Cops, age 87, of Appleton, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 14, 2023, at Living Tree Estates in Greenville, following a brief illness. Jerry was born on August 22, 1935, in ‘S-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands to the late Edmund and Theodora (Gietman) Cops. He immigrated to the United States in 1948 with the Cops family and settled in Kimberly.
At the age of 15, Jerry went to work at Tastee Bakery, where he eventually met the love of his life, Bernice Fields. He then held various jobs until 1969, when he and his brother Hank started Cops Services where he worked until retirement in the early 90’s. On July 21, 1956, he and Bernice were united in marriage at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Appleton. Jerry also made and fixed rosaries and restored religious statues. He collected over 177,000 pairs of shoes for the Missions. Jerry enjoyed spending time at their cottage on Crystal Lake and wintering in Florida. He was a sports fanatic and especially loved attending his grandchildren’s sporting events – but most of all, Jerry loved spending time with his family.
He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Bernice; seven children: Bob (Marlene), Ron (Lynn), Kathy (Tom) Courtney, Don (Linda), Mary (Mike) Kempen, Lori (Kevin) Shulfer, and Richard (Sara); 17 grandchildren: Jena (Chris) Schmidt, Trisha, Joe Cops, Becky (Chris) Loofboro, Andy (Kimberly) Courtney, Matt (Brittany) Kempen, Meghan (Micah) Woelfel, Zack, Tyler Shulfer, Rachel, Jacob Cops, Joshua (Jess), Lindsey Mittendorf, Greg (Gita), Jim (Kian), and Mike (Erin) Standish; 17 great grandchildren: Harlee, Eden, Liam Schmidt, Sophia Loofboro, Leah, Everett Kempen, baby Woelfel (October), Kylee, Kayla, Khloe, Giavonna, Gianni, Gorgio, Genevieve, Everett, Crewe, and Finley Standish; his brother, Father Gus Cops; sister, Margie Young; 3 sisters-in-law: Beverly Cops, Joyce Cops, and Ellie Vincent. He is further survived by many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Edmund and Theodora Cops, 5 sisters and brothers-in-Law: Nelly and Mart VanNuland, Mary and Peter “Bill” Havinga, Annie and Ken Schuh, Dorothy and Joseph Van Nuland, and Josie and John Vincent; 3 brothers: Father Peter Cops, Hank Cops, and Eddie Cops; brother-in-law Paul Young; and father-in-law Lloyd Fields; and mother-in-law Caroline (Schreiber) Fields; and sister-in-law Joann (Clifford) Uitenbroek.
A Funeral Mass will take place at 10:30 am on Thursday, May 18th, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 312 S. State St., Appleton, with Father Bill Swichtenberg officiating. Friends may visit on Wednesday at the Brettschneider Trettin-Nickel Funeral Chapel from 4 pm to 7 pm with a Prayer Service and Rosary to start at 6:15 p.m, and Thursday at the church from 9 am until 10:15 am. Interment will take place at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Appleton. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Living Tree Estates and the staff at Moments Hospice for the compassionate care given to Jerry.
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1935 - 2023 (87 years)