Obituary: Conrad L. Kopitzke

Conrad L. Kopitzke, age 82, a Brillion resident, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at Brillion West Haven, Brillion. 

He was born on September 27, 1942 in Appleton, son of the late Eldor and Mildred (Zutz) Kopitzke. Conrad was a graduate of Brillion High School, Class of 1960. Conrad served our county in the United States Navy, mostly in Okinawa, Japan, following high school. After his honorable discharge he continued his support of the armed services by being a member of the Becker Bloedorn Jensen American Legion Post 126 of Brillion for over 50 years. 

On December 10, 1966 he married the former Ann M. Geiser in Antigo.  The couple lived in Antigo until they had children.  Then they moved closer to family in calumet county.  He started his working career as a Calumet County Sheriff’s deputy.  While in Antigo, Conrad drove truck for Mach Farms.  When they moved back to the area, he worked as a Viking Sewing Machine Salesman, a truck driver for road construction, and then started working at the Brillion Iron Works.  Everyone at the BIW starts in the plant, and that’s exactly what Conrad did. He became a journeyman electrician, and then went to the Truck Driving Division until his retirement in 2004.   Post-retirement, Conrad still drove big vehicles, even if it wasn’t trucks.  He drove for Sonnabend Buses from 2004-2018 and was a snow plow driver for the town of Rockland.  Even with his career spanning many miles on 2 wheels, 4 wheels, 6 wheels, or 18 wheels, people really knew him for his musical ability.  Conrad’s parents owned the Brillion Music Studio for many years.  He learned at a young age how to play many different types of instruments, but his passion was for the accordion.  Throughout school, his parents would take a group of students to Milwaukee and Chicago for National Accordion Competitions. His musical career continued as a young adult, even while in the navy joining the naval band. When he returned home, he played with many local groups including "The RhythmAires" in Antigo and the "Elroy Burkholtz’ Band”. He was a founding member of “Conrad’s Little County Band “and “The Tiroler Musikanten.”  

His passion for music kept on rolling right into a love of cars, owning over 50 vehicles throughout his life. He was also a charter member of the Packerland VCCA (Vintage Chevy Club of America), and the Calumet Fun Truckers. He and his wife Ann won many different awards for everything from racing four-wheel drives to showing classic cars. 

He is survived by his wife of 57 years: Ann of Brillion; their children: Tina (Alvin) Heimmermann and Fred (Terri) Kopitzke, all of Chilton; his grandchildren: Amber (Jason) Ader of Fox Crossing, Mathias (Brittany) Kopitzke of Mesa, AZ., Austin Kopitzke of Chilton, Nick (Anna) Kopitzke of Platteville; a great granddaughter, Mathias and Brittany’s daughter: Florence Kopitzke; a sister and brother-in-law: Suzanne (John) Manthe of Dousman; two nieces: Brenda and Rebecca Manthe; a sister-in-law: Lana Kopitzke, her children, Michelle and Mark Kopitzke, and her husband Dave Pinckney of London, England; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law:  Bob (Janet) Kress, Lucille (Jerome) Hauser, George (Junita) Geiser, all of Chilton, Gerald (Shirley) Geiser of Oneida, Joe (Pauline) Geiser of Chilton, Diane (Jim) Kasper of New London, June Geiser,  Rita (Glen) Pingel, all of Chilton, Liz (Dan) Herms of Random Lake, and Pete (Deb) Geiser of Chilton, and many many nieces, nephews, and other relation. 

He was preceded in death by a brother: Paul Kopitzke; his father-in-law and mother-in-law: Alois & Violet (Wagner) Geiser; and sister-in-law and brothers-in-law: Elmer (Barbara) Wagner, Jim (Phyllis) Geiser and Tom Geiser.

Funeral Services will be held at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at Pielhop Funeral Home, Brillion. Officiating at the Service for those whom mourn will be the Rev. Ross Henzi. Military Rites will be accorded immediately following the service by the American Legion Post 126 of Brillion. Burial in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Brillion will occur at a later date. 

The family will greet relatives and friends at Pielhop Funeral Home in Brillion, from 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 15, 2024 until the time of the service.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.pielhopwieting.com

Pielhop Funeral Homes of Brillion & Reedsville are assisting the family with funeral arrangements.