Elzy Leroy Cooper Jr.

Elzy Cooper, age 89 of Waupun, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 6, 2017 at Prairie Ridge Assisted Living in Waupun.

Elzy was born on September 24, 1927 in Elkhorn, WI, son of Elzy and Miriam (Shipman) Cooper, Sr. On June 1, 1948, he was united in marriage to LaValice Christianson in Elkhorn. His productive years entailed a variety of business ventures.  For most of this time, however, he sold building materials for the National Gypsum Company while simultaneously pioneering the development of multi-unit apartment buildings with his beloved wife and business partner LaValice.  Many in the Waupun area regarded his real estate business as visionary and he and Val were respected landlords.  Elzy was also a practicing auctioneer for most of his life focusing on estate and lumberyard clearance sales.

As for pastimes, Elzy enjoyed playing golf, but found the most pleasure in pursuing his lifelong interest in the outdoors. His hunting and fishing adventures took him throughout North America and in 1975 he fulfilled his childhood dream of a safari to Africa. He also spent many winters in Florida enjoying the abundant deep sea fishing opportunities off the Atlantic coast and the Florida Keys.  Elzy was a long time member of the Union Congregational Church.  He also served as a member of the Waupun Masonic Lodge eventually reaching the level of Grand Master.

Elzy is survived by four children, Cheryl Ward of Los Gatos, California, Michael (Kris) Cooper of Brookings, South Dakota, Christine Csiacsek of Beaver Dam and Phillip (Robyn) Cooper of Watertown; six grandchildren, Amy Nehring, Nathan (Jamie) Nehring, Stephanie Cooper, Kyle (Brianna) Cooper, Sydney Cooper & Bryce Cooper; a great-granddaughter, Sara Nehring; 1 sister, Sondra (Carl) Colombe of Whitewater; a sister-in-law, Evelyn Cooper of Pewaukee; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty two years, LaValice; parents; a brother, Thomas Cooper and numerous aunts and uncles.

Visitation for Elzy will begin at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at Union Congregational Church, 125 Beaver Dam Street, Waupun followed by a memorial service at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Robert Sherwood officiating.

Elzy saw great value in education. Gifts will be directed to the Elzy Cooper Scholarship Fund.

Kohls Community Funeral Home is assisting the family. www.kohlsfh.com