(262) 653-0667
3016 75th Street, Kenosha, WI 53142
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.
Casey Family Options Funerals and Cremations
Stephen P. Casey, Owner and Funeral Director
(262)-653-0667
Mon - Fri: 8AM - 4PM
(262) 653-0667
3016 75th Street, Kenosha, WI 53142
Anna Bartel says:
Grandma I miss you already. I will miss our visits and our all night into the early morning talks. Love you.
BETTY Regner says:
Gina, sort to have heard about ur mother. She was a favorite cousin of my husband John Regner. May u find comfort in ur memories!
Ron says:
Wow! Small world. Read on.
I was daydreaming and remembered my old neighbor Joan who once asked me to go fishing with her & nephew Rick ( Ricky) . I never had gone before so, yes! Of course.
I wanted to give her a call, after all these years, (About 55). To tell her I was thinking about her, and thank her, that I remembered her kindness to a neighbor kid. So sorry to hear I was to late.
Small world, because I met Denis I think grandson? At the jeep plant, working together and became friends. Met each other’s wives, Hello Anna. Gone way too soon right?
We never knew of this connection until I found out now. What a family. You are good people, and I hope and wish for your happiness after all you have been through.
Best wishes; Ronald and Debra Schmidt
Perrysburg, Ohio