Judy A. Kropp

Judy (Coppens) Kropp, Green Bay, 72, passed away on Thursday, May 23rd after bravely fighting pancreatic cancer for 3 ½ years. She was born on July 25, 1951 and was the first of eleven children to the late Leonard and Lucy (Delveaux) Coppens. She grew up in Green Bay and at 13 moved to the family farm in Red Banks. Being the eldest of a large brood, she had many happy memories on the farm chasing her little brothers, caring for her many siblings, serving at the Club Chalet and having birthday parties in the hay mow. Despite the large family, Judy felt like the apple of her daddy’s eye wanting to know how to turn a wrench or fix a tractor even when “girls weren’t supposed to do that” and was never afraid to get her hands dirty with just about anything from plumbing to plaster, painting to car repairs and roofing. She will be greatly missed by her family for her strong will, love of animals, joy of cooking and baking, having a green thumb and the many happy travel adventures she had with her boys near and far.

Judy married John Kropp on August 12, 1972 at Holy Cross Parish Bay Settlement and the couple was blessed with two sons who were the joy of her life. She would defend them like a momma bear much to the chagrin of anyone they ever dated. She enjoyed many card games, old fashioneds, fishing, camping and parties with the Kropp family who helped her to enjoy life and sing songs to let the good times roll. Judy met her fiancé Terry in 1989 and the two had a love/hate relationship for nearly 28 years. Judy and Terry enjoyed taking car rides, bickering about bird watching (and everything else) and savoring the taste of Miller High Life. They enjoyed gardening together and in making every home they lived in a comfy, well decorated place. Judy was a lifelong caregiver working as a CNA for many years before becoming disabled. Her love and care for the elderly and opinionated nature about what would make them happy would have her be thanked by some and annoyed by others. You had to have a thick skin around “Judge Judy” as her sons liked to tease as her sharp tongue never lost its touch even to the bitter end. She will be happily remembered for her mystery strawberry plants and her bubble gum tree by her granddaughters, Rika-Roo and Alayna-Bug. She seemed to have a nickname for everyone especially her boys, favorite girls and cherished pets. Her sloppy joes, baked beans and potato salad every 4th of July and the delicious, industrial size carrot cakes she’d make with that thick layer of cream cheese frosting will surely be missed. She was thankful to be reunited with siblings the past few years and the laughter and reminiscing that was possible.

Judy is survived by her sons Jeffrey (husband Joshua Armendariz), Janesville, Wisconsin and Jay (wife Ana Paula Ehuletche), Sierra de los Padres, Argentina; granddaughter Erika Engeldinger (husband Niklaus) and great-granddaughter Alayna Bauer; siblings Leonard Coppens, Jr., Robert (Jodi) Coppens, Thomas Coppens Sr. (Cindy), Sharon (Carl Manes) Coppens, Linda (Ed) VandenEng, Susan Hall, and Daniel Coppens, many nieces and nephews and her kitty Pepper. She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant daughter, partner of 27 years Terry Tourtillot, her siblings Karen, Ronald and Michael Coppens, a sister-in-law, Wanda Coppens and beloved pets Annie, Mutley, Billy, Breena and Missy.

The visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 7th at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals, Receptions, 340 S Monroe Ave. Green Bay, WI 54301. A Memorial Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. which will be live streamed. to view please click here.
Entombment will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery.

Her family wishes to thank the Bellin Cancer team and staff at Unity Hospice for providing compassionate care and support to the family.