Collette Lynn Copus (née Smith), age 75, was welcomed home by her Lord and Savior on Sunday, May 30th, 2021 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin.
Collette was born on December 5th, 1945 in Crawford County, Wisconsin to Charles and Mabel (née Koll) Smith. She graduated from Gays Mills High School in 1964 and, on November 14, 1964, was united in marriage to the love of her life, Gary Paul Copus. She worked for many years with Schultz Brothers and Homeward Bound. She also took on the noblest job as a stay- at-home mother to her two sons, Stuart Ray Copus and Kevin Charles Copus who were the two greatest joys of her life.
Collette was a selfless, quick-witted, woman whose magnetic personality could soften even the hardest of hearts. Her love for her family was limitless and her passion for her community was powerful. Collette loved a good puzzle, card or board game, and she could cook up a storm for any crowd. She always had an open door policy at her home and made everyone feel welcome and like family. She also had a great love for animals and always came bearing gifts for her 3 granddogs, her 3 great-granddogs, and her 2 great grandcats.
Collette was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Mabel (née Koll) Smith, her two brothers Emmett and Charles Smith, and one sister Christine Smith.
Collette is survived by her husband, Gary Copus of Boscobel; brother Floyd Smith and wife Wilma of Boscobel; two sisters Mary Lou Eigner of Sheboygan, and Joyce Hanson of Wauzeka; two sons, Stuart Copus and wife Trina of Madison, and Kevin Copus (Marlene Mook) of Boscobel; two grandchildren Capriana Hadel and husband Joshua of Madison, and Cahleel Copus and fiancée Emma Brauer of LaCrosse; and great-grandson Reece Hadel of Madison.
Despite an initially poor prognosis, Collette’s strength and zest for life allowed her to beat the odds for over a month. Accompanying this, Collette received expert care at the hands of the staff of St. Mary’s 2 East Intensive Care Unit. The family would like to say a special thank you to this team for their attentiveness, responsiveness, and overwhelming devotion to Collette and the family’s needs.
A memorial gathering will be held at 11:00am on July 31st, 2021 at the Tuffley Community Center in Boscobel, Wisconsin. The Larson Family Funeral Home in Fennimore, Wisconsin is handling the arrangements. Donations in Collette’s memory can be given to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the Humane Society of the United States, or a local animal rescue of your choice.